Effect of cover crops on soil physical properties, weed control and yield of white radish (Rhaphanus sativus L.) cv. Longipinatus

To investigate the effect of cover crops on soil physical properties, weed control and yield of white radish, a filed experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2017 and 2018 in the research field of Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran. Experimental treatments included: cultivation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.) cover crops as monoculture and dual mixed crop 50:50 ratio and without cover crops (control). The results showed that the highest biomass (5172 kg.ha-1) of cover crops over two years from mixed barley + vetch and the lowest (3396 kg.ha-1) obtained from monoculture of hairy vetch. The barley monoculture reduced dry weight of common lambsquarters (59.1%), wild mustard (54.7%), Anchusa italica (73.1%) and reduced the total weeds (64.9%) as compared to the control. The soil bulk density, soil porosity percentage and time required for water infiltration were 1.32 g.cm-3, 50.21%, 7.21 second, respectively, and improved by monoculture of hairy vetch. The highest white radish yield (46100 kg.ha-1) obtained from monoculture of barley cover crop treatment which increased by 25.97% as compared to control. Based on the results of this experiment, monoculture of barley as cover crop could effectively control weeds and increase white radish yield. However, monoculture of hairy vetch was more effective in improving soil physical properties as compared to other treatments.