Herbicidal and Nitrogen Efficacy on Weed Management in Wheat Fields of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
Narayanaswamy Jeevan
Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
Saleemali Kannihalli *
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, 580005, India.
Chethan Kumar K B
Department of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
J K Singh
Department of Agronomy, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
Veershetty
Division of Agricultural Statistics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Karan Sathish
Department of Environmental Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, U.S. Nagar, Uttarkhand, India.
Shankar M
Department of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Venugopala Gowda R
Department of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Surla Pradeep Kumar
Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
Yerradoddi Sindhushree
Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
Nunavath Umil Singh
Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Weeds can significantly affect crop yield and nutrient uptake, making effective management crucial in wheat fields. This study, conducted during the winter (Rabi) season of 2018-19 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, aimed to assess the combined impact of different nitrogen levels and herbicide treatments on weed control and wheat production. The objective was to determine the best practices for reducing weed competition and improving crop performance. The experiment was set up using a split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of 3 nitrogen levels and 5 weed control methods. The study identified nine prevalent weed species in wheat fields, including Phalaris minor, Anagallis arvensis, Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album, Melilotus indicus, Vicia sativa, Medicago denticulata, Solanum nigrum, and Cyperus rotundus, with Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album and Vicia sativa being the most dominant. The application of Sulfosulfuron (25 g ha-1) combined with 2, 4-D (750 ml ha-1) resulted in the lowest weed density and biomass and the highest weed control efficiency. Additionally, performing hand weeding twice (30 and 60 days after sowing) in conjunction with 180 kg N ha-1, followed by the application of Sulfosulfuron (25 g ha-1) + 2, 4-D (750 ml ha-1), significantly reduced Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album and Vicia sativa population and biomass and improved weed control effectiveness. Higher weed dry weight and population results in lower plant nutrient uptake and lower dry matter of crop plant and yield.
Keywords: Nitrogen levels, sulfosulfuron, 2, 4-DEE, weeds, wheat