Chemical Control of Monocot Weeds in Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

Abstract

Due to similar growth pattern and morphology, monocot weeds offer more severe competition with wheat. A field experiment was conducted to screen herbicides most suitable for the control of monocot weeds in wheat. Seven herbicides viz., Puma super 69EW @ 862.5 g a.i. ha -1 , Bristle 69 EW @ 1250 ml, Topik 15WP @ 37.05 g a.i. ha -1 , Safener15WP @ 247g, Certain 80WD @ 395.2 g and Tremor 24EC @ 247 ml/ha were used. Weedy check where no weed control was practiced was kept as control. All herbicides were sprayed as post-emergence with second irrigation 38 days after crop sowing. The best weed control was accomplished by Safener 15WP 247 g ha -1 as significantly lower weed counts per m 2 (11.0) and higher percent weed control (73.4%) were noted after 21 days of its spray. Wheat growth parameters like plant height, number of tillers per m2, spike length and number of spikelets per spike remained statistically at par among various treatments. Significantly higher number of grains per spike (55.67) and 1000 grain weight (36 g) were noted with Puma Super 69EW @ 1250 ml ha -1 and Certain 80WD 395.2 g ha -1 , respectively. Although treatments did not differ significantly with respect to wheat grain and biological yields, yet the highest grain yield (3708.3 kg ha -1 ) and biological yield (10208.3 kg ha -1 ) were produced by Puma Super 69EW @ 1250 ml ha -1 . Based on better weed control and wheat yield, Safener 15WP @ 395.2 ml ha -1 and Puma Super 69EW @ 1250 ml ha -1 were proved to be better in areas where wheat fields are predominantly infested by monocot weeds. Puma super, Bristle Tremore, Safener and Certain were found effective against Avena fatua and Polypogon monspelliensis , less effective aga inst Phalaris minor and ineffective against Poaannua grass.