Evaluation of metsulfuron methyl and clodinafop alone and in combination with other herbicides against weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)

Abstract

A field investigation was carried out during rabi seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Palampur with nine treatments comprising three doses of metsulfuron methyl (2, 4 and 8 g/ha), two doses of clodinafop (60 and 120 g/ha), two combinations i. e. clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha and isoproturon+2, 4-D 1.0+0.5 kg/ha and weedy check to evaluate their performance against mixed weed flora in wheat. Experimental field was mostly infested with grassy weeds with Phalaris minor as the most dominant weed constituting 48.03% of total weed flora. Lolium temulentum, Avena fatua and Vicia sativa were the other important weeds. Among different herbicides, clodinafop 120 g/ha being statistically alike with its lower dose i. e 60 g/ha resulted in significantly lower count of grassy weeds viz., P. minor, L. temulentum, A. fatua at 90 and 120 DAS. Combination of clodinafop+ metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha was the next best in this regard. Same herbicide i. e. clodinafop120 g/ha recorded significantly lower dry matter of all these grassy weeds at both the stages of observation. However, clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha was at par with it for reducing the dry matter of A. fatua at both the stages of observation and P. minor and L. temulentum at 120 DAS and also with clodinafop 60 g/ha for L. temulentum at both stages and for A. ludoviciana and P. minor at 90 and 120 DAS, respectively. Among different herbicides, tank mix application of clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha and isoproturon+2, 4-D 1.0+0.5 kg/ha being at par with metsulfuron methyl 4 and 8 g/ha resulted in recording significantly lower weed count and dry matter of V. sativa and Anagallis arvensis at both stages of observation. Similarly, both these tank mixtures at both the stages and clodinafop 60 and 120 g/ha at 120 DAS being at par with each other were significantly superior for controlling other weeds. Tank mix application of clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha being at par with clodinafop 60 and 120 g/ha resulted in recording significantly lower weed count and weed dry matter of total weeds. Clodinafop applied at either 60 or 120 g/ha being at par with both combinations of herbicides i. e. clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha and isoproturon+2, 4-D 1.0+0.5 kg/ha produced significantly higher grain, straw and biological yield of wheat. Clodinafop 60 g/ha was the best in recording highest net returns of Rs. 29385/ha with B: C ratio of 1.21, followed by clodinafop+metsulfuron methyl 60+4 g/ha and isoproturon+2, 4-D 1.0+0.5 kg/ha having net returns of Rs. 29364 and 28386/ha, respectively, with similar B: C ratio of 1.19.