M Galavi - Department of Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture Zabol University
M Sarani - Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Sistan Zabol Iran
E Zand - Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute Tehran Iran
A Arjmandinejad - Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Sistan Zabol Iran

Common mallow, Malva neglecta with fast growing potential and its broad leaves is one of most hazardous weeds, which compete with saffron. In order to find a suitable herbicide, the field experiments were conducted during 2005-2006, at the Agricultural Research Station of Zahak-Zabol. The experiments were designed as a randomized complete block with six treatments and three replications, in a six years old saffron field. The herbicide treatments were scheduled after harvesting of saffron flowers, when the weed was in 3-5 leaf-growth stage. The treatments were included: Ioxinil (EC 22.5 %) at 3L/ha, Bromoxinil + MCPA (EC) at 1.5 L/ha, Oxyfluorfen (EC 24 %) at 1.5 L/ha, 2,4-D + MCPA (SL 67.5 %) at 2 L/ha, Metribuzin (WP 70 %) at 0.75 Kg/ha and control (without spray). The efficiency of the herbicides were calculated using the standard method EWRC at 10, 20 and 30 days after spraying and weed dry weight was measured in 30 and 60 days after spraying. The results showed that Metribuzin (without loss in saffron) controlled common mallow completely. This treatment prevented re-growth of weeds the end growth season (saffron leaves become dry natural). Treatment of Oxyfluorfen completely controlled the weed, but after 10 days common mallow and other weeds, Vicia villosa, Malcolmia africana and Hordeum sp. were appeared gradually. Oxyfluorfen was induced the necrotic damges on saffron leaves, which were tolerable for the plant. The treatment 2,4-D + MCPA was severely damaged the saffron, which appeared as chlorosis from the bases and their elongation (10cm longer than control).

chemical control, common mallow, saffron