Bioefficacy of sole and tankmix of pinoxaden and clodinafop with carfentrazone and metsulfuron for control of complex weed flora in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract

A field investigation was carried out during the winter season of 201112 and 201213 at Karnal, to evaluate the effect of different grass and broad-leaf herbicides as sole and their tankmix application on weed control in wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.]. Sole application of pinoxaden both at 50 and 75 g/ha and clodinafop (60 g/ha) were found to be effective only on grasses, whereas both carfentrazone (20 g/ha) and metsulfuron (4 g/ha) showed selectivity towards broad-leaf weeds. Sole application of pinoxaden, clodinafop, carfentrazone and metsulfuron recorded lower weed-control efficiency and higher weed index compared to tankmix application of pinoxaden and clodinafop with carfentrazone and metsulfuron. Both metsulfuron and carfentrazone were compatible with pinoxaden and clodinafop and there was no adverse effect on the efficacy of both the herbicides. Significantly the highest grain yield of 5.16 and 5.00 t/ha was recorded with tankmix pinoxaden + carfentrazone (50 + 20 g/ha) and clodinafop + carfentrazone (60 + 20 g/ha), which was at par with weed-free treatment. There was an increase of 13.6,16.7 and 21.1% in grain yield with pinoxaden + carfentrazone compared to sole application of clodinafop (60 g/ha), pinoxaden, (50 g/ha) and carfentrazone (20 g/ ha) respectively. Uncontrolled weeds caused an average reduction of 36.8% in wheat grain yield. Maximum net returns and benefit: cost ratio (29.2 103 /ha and 0.90) were recorded with pinoxaden + carfentrazone followed by clodinafop + carfentrazone (27.8 103 /ha, 0.85), respectively.