Effect of planting patterns and weed control treatments on Phalaris minor growth and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

An experiment was conducted at Ludhiana, during rabi 2006–07 and 2007–08 to study the effect of different planting patterns and weed control treatments on the control of Phalaris minor Retz. and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Firori & Paol). The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with planting patterns of wheat in horizontal blocks and weed control treatments in vertical blocks. Among the planting patterns, zero till sowing with Happy seeder recorded least population and dry matter accumulation of P. minor at 60 days after sowing and at harvest, which was statistically at par with other planting pattern treatments i.e. zero till sowing, bed planting and conventional tillage. Growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of wheat were not significantly influenced by planting patterns. Population and dry matter accumulation of P. minor were significantly reduced with post-emergence application of sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha, mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron 12 g/ha and pinoxaden 50 g/ha when compared with unweeded control during both years of investigation. Significantly more grain and biological yield were recorded in all herbicidal treatments as compared to unweeded control.