Productivity of zero-till wheat (Triticum aestivum) under different establishment methods, seed rate and weed control

Abstract

Field experiment was planned to investigate the integration of establishment methods, variable seed rates and weed control in zero-till wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with four replications. Treatments consisted of two establishment methods, i.e. zero till wheat with residue, viz. ZT+R (6 t/ha) and zero till wheat without residue, viz. ZT-R (0 t/ha), two levels of wheat seed rate (100 kg/ha (recommended) and 150 kg/ha) and four levels of weed control (weedy check, weed free, clodinafop + metribuzin 275 g/ha (recommended) and clodinafop + metribuzin 206.3 g/ha). The results revealed that clodinafop + metribuzin 275 g/ha in ZT + R had significantly lower P. minor biomass (25-27%) than ZT-R; however 16 and 14%biomass of broadleaved weeds were recordedat 90 days after sowing. Interaction effect revealed that in 2017-18, under weedy check, ZT+R had lower weed biomass and gave 14.9% higher grain yield than ZT-R; however in 2016-17, both ZT+R and ZT-R methods recorded almost similar yield. Integrated use of clodinafop+metribuzin 275 g/ha in zero till wheat sown in paddy residues gave the highest wheat grain yield (5465-5531 kg/ha) which was similar to weed free.

Keywords

• Clodinafop
• Metribuzin
• Paddy straw residue
• Wheat yield