Effect of Different PE Mulching Duration on the Competition Ability of Sesame Growing in Association with Various Weed Communities

This experiment was conducted to determine the influence of weed competition in sesame and the periods for weed control. Competition periods (days), for which sesame was seeded under transparent polyethylene film at May 15, were 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and full growth season of sesame. Weed control periods (days), for which sesame was seeded under black polyethylene film at June 15, were 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, and full growth season of sesame. Dominant weeds were Ponulaca oleracea, Digitaria sanguinalis, Acalypha australis, L. Cyperus arnuricus, Arenaria aesrphllifolia, Cardamine flexucosa, Mollugo Stricta and Digitaria eschaemum. The number of weeds was maximum at the 30 days after planting. Broad leaf weeds were dominant than grass weeds, and then decreased the total number of weeds by the reason of major decrease of broad leaf weeds. However, the weight of weeds increased continuously. No weeds appeared until the 15 days after planting and the weight of broad leaf weeds was heavier than that of grass weeds until 45 days after planting. However, grass weeds were heavier than broad leaf weeds after 60 days after planting. The hazards of weeds on the growth and development appeared seriously from the 60 to 75 days after planting, but main yield reduction appeared from 30 days after planting. Therefore once more hand weeding should be practiced within 30 days after planting to minimize yield decrease. Serious hazards by weed growing appeared by removing black PE film after 15 to 30 days after planting in growth characteristics and 30 days later in grain yield. Leaf growth showed maximum from 45 to 60 days after planting and then decreased as compared with the continuous increase of stem and root in optimum planting, transparent PE film mulch and hand weeding. Leaf growth didn't show reducing in PE film mulch and weedy check but total weight of weeds increased and growth of sesame decreased as compared to PE film mulch and hand weeding. Leaf, stem and root growth of sesame, and weed weight under black PE film mulch showed same tendancy and lower growth of sesame as compared with optimum planting, transparent PE film mulch. Correlation between sesame yield and weeds weight were r = in the optimum planting and r = in the late planting, so that the more weeds increase, the lesser sesame yield.