Integrated Weed Management Technologies for the Control of Annual Grasses and Broadleaf Weeds in Wheat in South Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted at Bekoji Negeso, Huruba Wolkite and Boru chilalo farmer’s field during 2016/17 and 2017/18 main cropping seasons to evaluate and validate effective and economical integrated weed management package for the control of annual grasses and broad leaf weeds in wheat. Pyroxsulam 0.5 lit/ha applied at 25-30 days after sowing, Pyroxsulam 0.5 lit/ha applied at 25-30 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 55-60 DAS, Clodinafop-propargyl 1 lit/ha + 2, 4-D 1 lit/ha applied at 25-30 DAS, Clodinafop-propargyl 1 lit/ha + 2, 4-D 1 lit/ha applied at 25-30 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 55-60 DAS, twice hand weeding at 30-35 and 55-60 DAS as standard check and weedy check for comparison purpose were treatments laid out in split plot design based on RCBD arrangement with three replications. The highest weed control efficiency of 86-100% was recorded in Pyroxulam + one hand weeding combined with four ploughing in controlling annual grasses(Snowdenia polystachya, Avena fatua, Bromus pectinatus) and broad leaf weeds (Gizotia scabra, Galinsoga parviflora and Polygonum nepalense) followed by Pyroxulam only(80-100%) and twice hand weeding(75-100%). The minimum weed control efficiency (0%) was recorded in weedy check treatment. Similarly, the highest grain yield of 4109 kg/ha was achieved by Pyroxulam + one hand weeding combined with four ploughings which was followed by Pyroxulam only (3841 kg/ha), twice hand weeding (3650 kg/ha), Clodinafop-propargyl + 2,4-D + one hand weeding ( 3590 kg/ha) and Clodinafop-propargyl + 2,4-D (3306 kg/ha) whereas weedy Check (1763 kg/ha) performed the least in yield. Hence, Pyroxulam as post-emergence application + one hand weeding combined with four ploughings was effective and the best integrated weed management package for controlling annual grasses and broad leaf weeds in wheat fields. Keywords: Clodinafop-propargyl, Evaluation, Integrated Weed Management, Pyroxsulam, Wheat fields DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-22-03 Publication date: November 30th 2022