Efficacy of Diclofopmethyl as Influenced by Rate and Time of Application in Wheat

Field experiments were conducted during winter seasons of 1993–94 and 1994–95 at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild canary grass (Phalaris minor) were effectively controlled at 20, 30, 40 and 50 days after sowing wheat with 0.70 and 1.05 kg/ha diclofopmethyl. The visual phytotoxicity on these weeds at above rates varied from 78 to 95% during both the seasons. Diclofopmethyl did not control broadleaved weeds. Maximum grain yields of 5109 and 5867 kg/ha were recorded with season-long weed free conditions. Diclofopmethyl 0.70 and 1.05 kg/ha application at 30 to 40 days after sowing gave satisfactory effective tillers and grain yield of wheat. Significantly lower crop yield in different diclofop treatments than weed free check yields was because of poor control of broadleaved weeds.