Performance of metsulfuron methyl and pendimethalin alone and their mixtures with isoproturon on weed control in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seed crop

A field experimental was conducted during the winters of 1996–97 and 1997–98 to study the comparative performance of different herbicides, their combinations and their reduced doses for weed control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) seed crop. Unchecked weeds caused nearly 37.7% seed yield loss. Maximum seed yield of 39.9 and 33.66 q/ha was recorded in weed-free treatment, respectively, during both the years. This high-yielding treatment was significantly at par with weed-free season-long and sequential application of herbicides and herbicide mixture, but was statistically significant to full and half doses of pendimethalin and metsulfuron methyl in both the years. Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha and metsulfuron @ C.008 kg a.i./ha significantly increased seed yield over unweeded control. Reduced dose of isoproturon @ 0.05 kg a.i./ha, pendimethalin @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha and metsulfuron @ 0.004 kg a.i./ha was least effective in controlling weeds and had minimum impact on enhancing seed yield over the control.