Study of herbicides and their tank mixture for controlling weeds in zero tilled wheat of eastern Uttar Pradesh

On farm trial was conducted during winter season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 to assess the efficacy of sulfosulfuron, clodinofop, metribuzin, mesosulfuran & idosulfuron and tank mixture of sulfosulfuron with 2,4-D, metsulfuron, carfentrazone ethyle and clodinofop with metsulfuron in zero tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol). All herbicidal treatments reduced the weed density and weed dry weight significantly compared to weedy check. In general tank mix application of herbicides proved better than their alone application in suppressing weed number and dry weight. Highest grain yield (51.6 and 51.75 q/ha) were recorded with weed free plot which was at par with clodinofop + metsulfuron (60+2.5 g ai/ha). Uncontrolled growth of weeds caused 45.9 and 44.4 percent reduction in the crop yield compared to weed free treatment. Application of clodinofop with metsulfuron and sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron sulfosulfuron + carfentrazone ethyl, sulfosulfuron + 2,4-D proved better than their alone application resulting in 14.72 per cent yield increase when averaged over two years. Among the herbicides, clodinofop + metsulfuron remaining at par with sulfosulfuron+ metsulfuron, sulfosulfuron + 2, 4-D was most effective in enhancing yield attributes and grain yield. Highest economic return and B: C ratio was obtained using clodinofop with metsulfuron (Rs. 32285 and 35025/ha; 2.89 and 2.96 during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively). Application of metribuzin in spite of better weed control efficiency recorded lowest grain yield among the herbicides tested which was at par with mesosulfuron isosulfuron.