Weed management in wheat as influenced by different rice residue management practices in rice-wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of rice residue management practices on weed dynamics and management practices in wheat crop during rabi 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Results revealed that population and biomass of different weeds at 60 days after sowing was lower under Happy seeder (zero tillage with residue retention) as compared to other rice residue management practices of residue removal, burning and incorporation. Lower population and biomass of Phalaris minor was recorded in pinoxaden 50 g a.i./ha treated plots as compared to metsulfuron plus carfentrazone 25 g a.i./ha and weedy plots, but found statistically at par with metribuzin plus clodinafop 270 g a.i./ha. Population and biomass of Rumex dentatus and Medicago denticulata was recorded lowest in metsulfuron plus carfentrazone 25 g a.i./ha and metribuzin plus clodinafop 270 g a.i./ha treated plots as compared to pinoxaden 50 g a.i./ha and weedy plots. Further, Happy seeder sowing was effective in reducing density and biomass of weeds and resulted in the highest yield. Under in-situ residue management wheat fields with complex weed flora, metribuzin plus clodinafop 270 g a.i./ha provided effective weed control in rice–wheat cropping system.