Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to rice (Oryza sativa) residue and weed management practices

A field experiment was carried out during the winter seasons of 2009–11 at Varanasi, to evaluate the effect of rice (Oryza sativa L.) residue management practices and weed-control measures on the weed infestation and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] yield. Treatments included application of sulfosulfuron alone and tank-mix sulfosulfuron 25g/ha + metsulfuron 4 g/ha and isoproturon 1.0 kg/ha + metsulfuron 4 g/ha. Rice residue mulching treatment reduced weeds density and dry weight, resulting in 19.4% and 11.1% higher yield over rice residue retained and residue incorporated treatment respectively. Application of sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha + metsulfuron 4 g/ha recorded 9.6% and 2.7% higher yield over sulfosulfuron at 25 g/ha and isoproturon 1.0 kg/ha + metsulfuron 4 g/ha respectively. It was concluded that rice residue mulching management was the best among the given residue management practices and tank-mix sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha + metsulfuron 4 g/ha was better among the herbicides in terms of weed growth reduction and increased wheat yield.