Bio-efficacy and Phytotoxicity Evaluation of Anilofos (5 Gand 30 EC) and Metolachlor (50 EC) in Soybean [Glycine max (Linn.) Merrill]

Experimental field was infested with 29 different weed species comprising two sedges, six narrow and 21 broad-leaved weeds. Anilofos (30 EC) at 3.00 kg ha−1 as PE was found very effective against sedges. EC formulation of alachlor as PE reduced the narrow-leaved weeds significantly over anilofos (Granular formulation) even with higher doses upto 2.00 kg ha−1 applied as PE and weedy plot. While considering broad-leaved weeds, none of the herbicidal treatments was found effective to check them compared with HW twice at 25 and 35 DAS. Similarly, total number of weeds of all three categories were controlled efficiently with 2 HW at 25 and 35 DAS closely followed by pendimethalin at 1.50 kg ha−1 as PE only. HW twice at 25 and 35 DAS was found the best treatment in reducing dry weed biomass over all others. EC formulation of anilofos was found superior over its granules. Although, recommended soybean herbicides viz., alachlor and pendimethalin reduced the dry weed biomass markedly compared with weedy plot but both were found inferior to 2 HW at 25 and 35 DAS. As regard grain yield of soybean 2 HW at 25 and 35 DAS again was found the best treatment amongst all and produced as high as 119.86% higher grain yield over plot. Anilofos treatment plots gave 34.75 to 68.19 and 42.55 to 73.56% higher grain yield over weedy plot with granular and liquid forms, respectively. Alachlor (10 G) at 2.00 kg ha−1 as PE was found also effective, proved profitable and comparable with 2 HW at 25 and 35 DAS.