Evaluation of Herbicides and their Mixtures for Control of Broad Leaf Weeds in Wheat and their Economics

Wheat is the main winter cereal crop of north-west India and in Haryana state. Weeds are considered to be the most distorted of crop production and account for ~1/3rd of total losses caused by all pests. Among numerous approaches have been in practice for handling the problem of weed infestation, chemical weed control seems indispensable and has proved efficient in controlling weeds. In order to evaluate the herbicides and their mixtures for control of broad leaf weeds in wheat and their economics, a field experiment was conducted at Research Farm area of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during growing season of rabi 2018-19. Results promised that among herbicides and their mixtures aclonifen 500 + diflufenican 100 SC @ 1750 + 1750 g/ha closely followed by halauxifen-methyl + florasulam + carfentrazone + surfactant @ 24.99 + 50 + 750 g/ha with maximum weed control efficiency which severely reduced density and dry weight of broad-leaf weeds (Chenopodium album, Rumex dentatus, Anagallis arvensis, Medicago denticulate, Melilotus indicus and Lathyrus aphaca), while poor weed control treatments were recorded with application of 2,4-D NA (80 WP) and 2,4-D Ester (38 EC) @ 625 and 1316 g/ha. Hence highest net returns (Rs. 65,733 ha -1 ) and B: C (1.82) recorded by application of aclonifen 500 + diflufenican 100 SC which were 0.13, 4.6 and 3.4 percent higher than weed free and 47.1, 193.7 and 41.1 percent higher than weedy check, respectively.