Evaluation of Metribuzin for Phalaris minor Control in Wheat

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of various rates of metribuzin on Phalaris minor and wheat during winter seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97. The field was clayloam in texture and was under rice-wheat system since last 10 years where P. minor was the major weed. There was a drastic reduction in the density and dry weight of P. minor when metribuzin was applied as post-emergence. Efficacy of metribuzin on P. minor increased with the increase in its rate of application from 140 to 420 g ha. Uncontrolled weeds caused 57.3 and 54.1% reduction in the grain yield of wheat during 1995–96 and 1996–97, respectively. Phytotoxicity due to post-emergence application of metribuzin on crop was observed during both the years. Application of metribuzin above 210 g/ha in 1995–96 and above 350 g/ha in 1996–97 reduced the wheat yield significantly as compared to weed-free treatment.