MANIPULATION OF AGRO-MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR WEED CONTROL AND ENHANCING WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY - A. Areeb; A. Khaliq; R. N. Abbas; M. Yaseen (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2016)
Zero tillage and narrow row spacing can interactively supplement the herbicide performance in Wheat. Field studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of tillage systems [zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT)], row spacing (11.25, 15.00 and 22.50 cm), and herbicide application on weed dynamics and productivity of wheat in triplicated RCBD split-split arrangement. Results depicted that ZT reduced total weed density by 21% and dry biomass by 24% and 17% as compared with CT system during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, respectively at 60 days after sowing (DAS). Application of herbicides also recorded up to 70% suppression of weed density and dry biomass at 60 DAS. Efficient weed control achieved by herbicide application in crop sown under ZT in narrow row spacing (11.25 cm), that recorded higher grain yield and yield components. Among herbicide treatments, isoproturon+carfentrazone application was found most effective treatment in improving wheat grain yield and its components. Application of isoproturon+carfentra zone gained maximum net benefits (Rs. 148281 and 148838 ha-1 during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, respectively) under ZT system and row spacing (11.25 cm). Conclusively, ZT, narrow row spacing and isoproturon+carfentrazone application reduced weed growth and enhanced wheat grain yield, suggesting that these approaches could contribute to weed management in wheat fields.
Keywords: journal article; Herbicide application; narrow row spacing; weeds; wheat yield; zero tillage