Integrated weed management in irrigated wheat

The study to evaluate the efficacy of integrated weed control in wheat was carried out at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the year, 1999-2000. Commercial wheat Variety "Inqulab-91" was used as a test crop and was sown in the month of November on a well prepared seed bed. The crop was sown with the help of a single row hand drill in 22.5 cm apart rows using a seed rate of 125 kg ha-1. A uniform dose of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizer each at the rate of 100 kg ha-1 was applied. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications using a net plot size of 1.8 x 10m. In all 5 irrigations were given to the crop in addition to soaking irrigation (Rouni). The crop was harvested in April. Herbicidal treatments comprised weedy check (Control), hand weeding once 25 days after sowing, hand weeding twice 25 and 50 days after Sowing, pre- emergence application proton 500 WP (isoproturon) @ 2 kg ha-1 post- emergence application of Topik 15 WP (Clodinophob) @ 250 g ha-1, pre- emergence application of proton 500 WP (isoproturon) + one hoeing 50 days after sowing and, post-emergence application of Topik + one hoeing 50 days after sowing (DAS). Proton 500 WP (isoproturon) was applied as pre- emergence spray two days after sowing the crop while Topik. 15 WP (Clodinophob) was sprayed as post-emergence spray after first irrigation. Hand hoeing was done with "kasola" in "water" (moist) condition after first irrigation (25 DAS) and after second irrigation (50 DAS). Observations on growth and yield parameters were recorded by using the standard procedures. In the light of results obtained, following conclusions are drawn Among the herbicidal treatments, wheat plots treated with pre-emergence spray of proton 500 WP (isoproturon) + 1 hoeing at 50 DAS and post emergence spray of Topik 15WP which however remained at par with Topik 15 WP (Clodinophob) (post- emergence) spray + Hoeing 50, Proton - 500 WP (isoproturon) (preemergence) spray, 2 Boeings, 25 & 50 DAS and I hoeing 25 DAS weed control treatments All the herbicides decreased weeds population and weed dry weight significantly over weedy check. In terms of monetary gain, highest net income of Rs. 45,625 ha-1 was obtained from crop treated with pre-emergence spray of proton 500WP (Isoprotron) + one hoeing 50 DAS after sowing and was closely followed by that treated with post-emergence spray of Topik 15 WP (isoproturon) + one hoeing 50 DAB after sowing, and was closely followed by that treated with post., emergence spray of Topik 15 WP (Clodinophob) + one hoeing 50 DAS while other weed con treatments intermediated.