Evaluation of tank-mix combinations of different herbicides for control of Phalaris minor in wheat.

A field experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University Regional Research Station, Karnal during rabi 2006–07 and 2007–08 to evaluate the efficacy of tank-mix combinations of different herbicides against Phalaris minor in wheat. The experimental field was dominated mainly by grassy weed P. minor Retz. The major weeds among broad-leaved weeds (BLW) were Coronopus didymus L., Anagallis arvensis L., Melilotus indica All. Fl. Ped., Medicago denticulata L., Rumex dentatus L., Vicia sativa L. and Lathyrus aphaca L. Intra-group combinations of herbicides viz., ACCase inhibitor (clodinafop/fenoxaprop/pinoxaden) with ACCase inhibitor and ALS inhibitor (sulfosulfuron/mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron) with ALS inhibitor were compatible and resulted in very effective control of P. minor and consequently yields of wheat (5552–5861 kg/ha in 2006–07 and 5510–5897 kg/ha in 2007–08) were comparable to weed free checks (5909 kg/ha in 2006–07 and 5850 kg/ha in 2007–08). While inter-group combinations (clodinafop/fenoxaprop/pinoxaden with sulfosulfuron/mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron) were not found compatible and resulted in lower control of P. minor with lower yields (5054–5239 kg/ha in 2006–07 and 4285–4976 kg/ha in 2007–08). Alone application and all combinations having sulfosulfuron or mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron provided good control of BLW even under inter-group combinations. There was no phyto-toxicity of any of the herbicidal treatments on wheat, except some recoverable symptoms under treatments having mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron during 2007–08.