A 75% reduction in herbicide use through integration with sorghum + sunflower extracts for weed management in wheat

BACKGROUND: To reduce herbicide use by 75%, integrated use of sorghum and sunflower extracts each at 18 L ha −1 combined with 1/4 th (75% less) of label rates of four herbicides (mesosulfuron + idosulfuron, metribuzin, phenoxaprop‐ p ‐ethyl and isoproturon) were investigated for the management of wild oat and canary grass, the two pernicious weeds in wheat fields worldwide. RESULTS: The results revealed that sorghum + sunflower extracts combined with 1/4 th (75% less) of label rates of herbicides inhibited dry matter production of wild oat by up to 89% and canary grass by up to 92%. The wild oat and canary grass persistence index in sorghum + sunflower extracts combined with 1/4 th (75% less) of label rates of herbicides was either lower or equal to respective label rates of herbicides, except sorghum + sunflower extract + 1/4 th phenoxaprop‐ p ‐ethyl. Lower herbicide rates + water extracts also produced wheat grain yield statistically equal with label rates of respective herbicides. Two treatments having water extracts + lower herbicides rates were economical and sorghum + sunflower + 1/4 th mesosulfuron + idosulfuron produced the highest (4404%) marginal rate of return. CONCLUSION: Herbicides use can be reduced by 75% through integration with sorghum + sunflower extracts without compromising yield and net benefits for cost‐effective and eco‐friendly management of wild oat and canary grass in wheat. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry