Response of wheat to method of sowing and weed management practices under late sown condition

A field experiment was conducted during 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 at the research farm at RMP (PG) College Narsan, Haridwar, to evaluate the comparative efficacy of mechanical and chemical weed management in late sown wheat. The treatment compared of 4 sowing methods viz. Normal line sowing (22.5cm), cross-sowing (22.5 cm x 22.5 cm), closer line sowing (15.0) and broadcasting and 4 weed control measures viz. one hand weeding at 30 DAS, Isoproturon @ 0.75 kg ai/ha, 2,4-D Na salt @ 0.75 ai/ha and weedy check, were laid out in split plot design with three replications. Sowing methods were taken in main and weed control measure in sub plots. Results revealed that wheat crop sown under cross-sowing method reduced the weed population and weed dry weight significantly than broadcast, closer sowing (15.0cm) and normal line sowing (22.5cm), respectively. Amongst the weed management practices, application of isoproturon @ 0.75 ai kg/ha as pre-emergence controlled grassy as well as non grassy weeds effectively than the remaining treatments. Cross sowing at 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm out yielded remaining treatments and recorded 2.70, 1.99 and 5.32q/ha higher grain yield over normal sowing (22.5cm) closer line sowing (15.0cm) and broadcast method.