Evaluating the effect of herbicide combinations and sequential applications for broad-spectrum weed control in wheat

Wheat is India's second-largest staple food crop grown in different agro climatic zones in which weeds are known to pose a severe challenge to wheat production.Weed infestation is a major constraint reducing wheat productivity globally.A ield experiment was carried out during the rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 on loamy sand soil at the AICRP-Weed Management farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat).The study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbicide combination and sequential application for broad-spectrum weed control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).Twelve treatments were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications.Results indicated that application of pendimethalin 30% EC 500 g a.i./haPE b clodinafop propargyl 15% WP 60 g a.i./haPoE,clodinafop propargyl 15% + metsulfuron methyl 1% WP (PM) 60 + 4 g a.i./haPoE, hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS and sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (PM) 30 + 2 g a.i./haPoE provided signi icantly lower density and dry biomass of weeds, a higher number of effective tillers, test weight, lower weed index, higher gross return, and bene it-cost ratio as compared to other treatments.Further, application of metribuzin 42% + clodinafop propargyl 12% WG (PM) at both the rate i.e. 140 + 40 or 210 + 60 g a.i./haPoE provided effective control of weeds with higher weed control ef iciency but due to phytotoxic effect on the crop which leads to reduce the grain yield of wheat.