Combination of pinoxaden with other herbicides against complex weed flora in wheat

A field experiment was conducted during 2010–11 and 2011–12 to evaluate the efficacy of pinoxaden alone and in combination with other herbicides against complex weed flora in wheat. Pinoxaden 50 g/ha alone and as tank mixture with and before metsulfuron-methyl 4 g/ha, carfentrazone-ethyl 20 g/ha and 2,4-D 500 g/ha was compared to isoproturon + 2,4-D, clodinafop fb 2,4-D, weed free and weedy check for weed control and grain yield. Phalaris minor and Anagallis arvensis were the major weeds constituting 59.1 and 20.8% of the total weed population during 2010–11 and 67.6 and 16.9% during 2011–12, respectively. Avena ludovician, Lolium temulentum, Poa annua and Vicia sativa were the other important weeds found in association with wheat. Weeds reduced grain yield of wheat by 39.5%. Pinoxaden + metsulfuron-methyl (50 + 4 g/ha) and pinoxaden fb metsulfuron-methyl (50 fb 4 g/ha) were comparable to weed free treatment in reducing the density of Phalaris minor and Anagallis arvensis. Pinoxaden alone was not effective against broad-leaved weeds, while carfentrazone, metsulfuron-methyl and 2,4-D were not effective against grasses. Combined application of pinoxaden with metsulfuron-methyl/carfentrazone (as tank mixed or as followed by) resulted in significantly lower total weed density and weed biomass. Combined application of pinoxaden with metsulfuron-methyl, carfentrazone and 2,4-D resulted in significantly higher tillers, grains/spike and 1000-seed weight and grain yield as comparable to in weed free.