Optimizing herbicide use in wheat (Triticum aestivum) under rain-fed conditions

Abstract

Widespread prevalence of weeds poses a severe threat to rain-fed wheat production in Pakistan and other places. Weed control efficacy of different herbicides and their dose rates in wheat crop was investigated under rain-fed conditions during the period of 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007. Wheat variety GA-2002 was planted as a test crop. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Among different treatments, the lowest weed biomass (15.97 g m-2) was recorded in hand weeded plots followed by Buctril Super (Bromoxynil + Methtyl choloro phenoxyl acetic acid at a.i 0.45 kg ha-1and MCPA (Methtyl choloro phenoxyl acetic acid) a.i at 0.65 kg ha-1. The highest grain yield (2678 kg ha-1) was recorded with the application of Buctril super 0.45 kg ha-1 that was at par with the application of Buctril Super 0.35 kg ha-1. Weedy check treatment was at the bottom with the lowest grain yield. On the basis of two consecutive years of field study, it can be concluded that Buctril Super at 0.45 kg ha-1 was the most economical treatment with the highest BCR (1.52). Key words: Wheat, weed control, herbicide rates, rain-fed conditions.