Combining effect of allelopathicSorghum bicolorL. (Moench) cultivars with planting densities on companion weeds

Field experiments were conducted to compare the effects of allelopathic sorghum cultivars ‘Enkath’ and ‘Rabeh’ at three planting densities (6.6, 13.3 and 26.6 plant m−2) on weed growth and sorghum yields in 2009 and 2010. Sorghum planting densities suppressed average weed population by 26–42% and average weed biomass by 46–57% compared with weedy check in 2009. A similar trend in the reduction in weed population and weed biomass was observed in 2010. Planting densities at 6.6, 13.3 and 26.6 plant m−2 significantly suppressed average weed population by 26, 31 and 42% and average weed biomass by 88, 91 and 96% compared with weedy check, respectively, during 2009. A similar trend in effect was also recorded during 2010. Enkath cultivar reduced average weed density and dry biomass by 25 and 44% during 2009 and by 23 and 30% in 2010 compared with Rabeh cultivar. Root exudates of Enkath inhibited more weed growth than Rabeh. Increased planting density significantly increased average grain yield of sorghum. The highest grain yield of sorghum (12.68 t ha−1) was recorded in plots in which the planting density was 26.6 plant m−2.