Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to seeding methods and weed management

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2000–2001 to 2001–2002, to study the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) to seeding methods and weed management. Crisscross and unidirectional sowing resulted in significantly higher yield attributes, grain yield and net returns than broadcasting. Criss-cross sowing significantly reduced weed count and weed dry biomass than broadcasting. Test weight and protein content in grain were unaffected by seeding methods. Among the weed-control treatments, hand-weeding although recorded higher yield attributes, grain and straw yields but was found at par with those recorded under sulfosulfuron 33.3 g/ha and significantly higher than those recorded under isoproturon and 2,4-D. Net returns recorded among the weed-control treatments did not differ significantly. However, it was higher in isoproturon followed by sulfosulfuron, hand-weeding and 2,4-D. Weed-control treatments also recorded higher protein content weedy check.