Can weed composition and diversity support chickpea yield? A case study on dryland fields from western Iran

Background: Understanding the interactions between weed communities and chickpea crops can improve weed management practices, boost crop productivity, and promote sustainability. Objective: Assessing the interference caused by weed communities on chickpea production and to explore the relationship between weed biodiversity and chickpea yield. Methods: Random sampling was utilized to assess weed populations in 85 chickpea fields. Weed density and canopy cover, as well as indices of species richness, Shannon-Weiner, and Camargo’s evenness, were recorded at two phenological stages of [...]