Efficacy of herbicides on weed control in zero-tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the eastern indo-gangetic plains

Field experiments/on farm trial (OFT) were conducted at farmers field in village Hasanchak and Agwanpur under the ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barh, Patna during the winter season (Rabi). The basic aim of experiment was to find out the effective method of weed control in zero-tilled wheat through the application of herbicide.

The experiment was laid in randomized block design (RBD) in 2014–2015, replicated 4 times (Farmers field) with 5 treatments viz., 2,4-D, ethyl ester 2.00 kg ha⁻¹ at 25 days after sowing (DAS) fb one hand weeding (Conventional tillage-Farmer practices) at 55 DAS, Sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha⁻¹, Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 20 g ha⁻¹ at 25 DAS, Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha⁻¹ at 25 DAS and control (Unweeded).

Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha⁻¹ at 25 days after sowing provided effective control of grassy and broadleaf weeds and recorded less dry weight and highest (91%) weed control efficiency (WCE). Herbicide sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha⁻¹ and Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 20 g ha⁻¹ controlled only grassy and broadleaf weeds, respectively. 2,4-D, ethyl ester 2.00 kg ha⁻¹ fb one hand weeding (Conventional tillage-Farmer practices) recorded higher weed dry weight and less weed control efficiency (WCE). Significantly higher grain yield (4280 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded under sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha⁻¹ at 25 days after sowing followed by Metsulfuron 20% WP 20 g ha⁻¹, Sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha⁻¹, 2,4-D, 2.00 kg ha⁻¹ fb one hand weeding (Farmer practices). Significantly higher net return (Rs. 48145 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.93) were recorded under Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha⁻¹ at 25 days after sowing.