Pinoxaden: An alternate herbicide against littleseed canary grass (Phalaris minor) in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Two field experiments were conducted at Karnal, Haryana during rabi 2005–06 and 2006–07 to evaluate the efficacy of pinoxaden against Phalaris minor in wheat. Pinoxaden 10 EC 40 g/ha + adjuvant 2,000 ml/ha and pinoxaden 5 EC (with built-in adjuvant) 50 g/ha reduced the dry weight of Phalaris minor to the extent of 92–99 and 89–98%, respectively, and were at par with weed free checks during both the years. Consequently, Pinoxaden 5 EC 50 g/ha and Pinoxaden 10 EC 40 g/ha + adjuvant 2,000 ml/ha being at par with weed free checks produced grain yield of wheat to the tunne of 6.1–6.2 and 5.7–6.1 t/ha. Efficacy of pinoxaden 10 EC against P. minor increased by about 70% with addition of adjuvant indicating that adjuvant is must with this formulation. Pinoxaden 5 EC 50 g/ha was superior to lower doses, fenoxaprop and sulfosulfuron, however, it was at par with clodinafop during both the years. Both formulations of pinoxaden were ineffective against broad-leaved weeds. Maximum net returns (Rs 14,400-19,500/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (0.74–0.91) was obtained under pinoxaden 5 EC 50 g/ha. There was no phytotoxicity on wheat and no residual toxicity on the succeeding rice crop.