P-637: A post emergence herbicide (Metribuzin) tolerant genotype of fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.)

Development of post emergence herbicide resistant genotypes is the most potential way to increase farmer's income by controlling weeds, minimising yield losses and reducing cost of cultivation. An attempt was made to identify the genotypes with resistance to the post-emergence herbicide metribuzin in Fieldpea. Based on two years screening (2015–16 & 2016–17), a set of fifteen genotypes was made comprising of tolerant, moderately tolerant, sensitive and highly sensitive genotypes. These genotypes were examined in larger plot for resistance against popular post-emergence herbicide metribuzin 500 g a.i./ha during winter season of 2017–18. The plants were observed for herbicide phyto-toxicity on three different stages i.e. 15 days after herbicide application (DAHA), 30 DAHA and 60 DAHA. Based on scoring for the visual appearance and phyto-toxicity on plants, a genotype ‘P-637’ was found tolerant. This genotype has constantly registered tolerance for metribuzin 500 g a.i./ha during three years of screening. Hence, this genotype can be utilized as a potential donor in for future fieldpea breeding programme towards development of herbicide (metribuzin) tolerant varieties and in other basic studies.