Effect of Sowing Date and Post-Emergence Herbicide Application on Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major Rabi crop around the world, including India. After rice, it is India's second-most important food grain crop, accounting for about half of all calories and protein. To improve wheat growth and output, it is crucial to seed at the right time and use effective weed control techniques. An Experiment was conducted at Pilikothi Farm of T. D. P. G. College, Jaunpur, U.P. during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Experiment was laid out in split plot design replicated thrice with three sowing dates i.e. 15 November, 30 November and 15 December as main plot treatment and six weed management practices i.e. weedy check, weed free, 2, 4 DEE @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha., Carfentrazone @ 0.025 kg a.i./ha., Metsulfuron methyl @ 0.004 kg a.i./ha., Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam @ 20% as sub plot treatment. Soil of the experimental field was sandy clay loam. Fertilizer dose of 150:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per hectare were applied. The results of the two years experiment clearly indicate that plant height, number of tillers, and leaf area index values were recorded high under sowing on November 15th as compared to other dates of sowing, while Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam @ 20% recorded higher growth over the rest of the herbicide treatments, but the weed-free plot recorded the highest values of the aforementioned growth parameters. Based on the findings, it is possible to infer that planting wheat on time (15th November) with Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam 20% herbicide for weed control may result in increased crop growth in the agro-climatic conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh.