A 75% reduction in herbicide use through integration with sorghum + sunflower extracts for weed management in wheat.
BACKGROUND
To reduce herbicide use by 75%, integrated use of sorghum and sunflower extracts each at 18 L ha(-1) combined with 1/4(th) (75% less) of label rates of four herbicides (mesosulfuron + idosulfuron, metribuzin, phenoxaprop-p-ethyl and isoproturon) were investigated for the management of wild oat and canary grass, the two pernicious weeds in wheat fields worldwide.


RESULTS
The results revealed that sorghum + sunflower extracts combined with 1/4(th) (75% less) of label rates of herbicides inhibited dry matter production of wild oat by up to 89% and canary grass by up to 92%. The wild oat and canary grass persistence index in sorghum + sunflower extracts combined with 1/4(th) (75% less) of label rates of herbicides was either lower or equal to respective label rates of herbicides, except sorghum + sunflower extract + 1/4(th) phenoxaprop-p-ethyl. Lower herbicide rates + water extracts also produced wheat grain yield statistically equal with label rates of respective herbicides. Two treatments having water extracts + lower herbicides rates were economical and sorghum + sunflower + 1/4(th) mesosulfuron + idosulfuron produced the highest (4404%) marginal rate of return.


CONCLUSIONS
Herbicides use can be reduced by 75% through integration with sorghum + sunflower extracts without compromising yield and net benefits for cost-effective and eco-friendly management of wild oat and canary grass in wheat.
Mushtaq
Muhammad Naeem
MN
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan. mnmushtaq@gmail.com
Cheema
Zahid Ata
ZA
Khaliq
Abdul
A
Naveed
M Rashid
MR
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006368:Helianthus; D006540:Herbicides; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D045868:Sorghum; D014908:Triticum
D006540:Herbicides; D010936:Plant Extracts