Response of wheat to non-chemical weed control approaches

The present study was conducted during rabi season of 2019-20 and investigated the response of wheat to non-chemical weed control approaches. Also, it estimated the correlation between growth and yield attributes of wheat and weed dry matter. A randomized block design with three replications was used and included seven treatments of weed control: weedy check, weed-free, Furrow Irrigated Raised Beds System (FIRBs) (67.5 cm), eucalyptus leaves mulching (6.0 t ha-1), stale seedbed technique, stale seedbed technique followed by rice straw mulching (4.0 t ha-1) and stale seedbed technique followed by two hoeings (wheel hand hoe). The results indicated that the most effective non-chemical weed control methods were the stale seedbed technique followed by straw mulching or two hoeings. These treatments resulted in the lowest weed dry matter and the highest grain yield. Additionally, a strong positive correlation was found between wheat growth and yield attributes, while a strong negative correlation was observed between the weed dry matter and grain yield. These findings demonstrate that non-chemical weed control approaches can significantly improve wheat productivity by reducing weed competition, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides.