OPTIMIZING THE APPLICATION RATE OF CARFENTRAZONE-ETHYL + CLODINAFOP-PROPARGYL + METSULFURON-METHYL FOR WEED CONTROL IN WHEAT

A field experiment- was conducted to evaluate and optimize best dose of newly formulated mixture of carfentrazone-ethyl + clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl for effective weed control in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during winter 2011-12. The treatments comprised of carfentrazone-ethyl + clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl spray at various doses viz., 400, 450, 500, and 550 g a.i. ha^-1. In addition, standard herbicide mesosulfuron methyl + idosulfuron methyl sodium @ 400 g a.i. ha^-1 and weedy check (no weed control) were kept as control treatments. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Carfentrazone-ethyl + clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl gave better weed control than standard herbicide. Application rate of 550 g a.i. ha^-1of this herbicide achieved significantly lower total weed density (8 plants m-2) and weed biomass (4.76 g m^-2) at crop harvest which were 95 and 93% lower than weedy check. However, significantly higher number of spike bearing tillers (356.5 m^-2), grains per spike (47.93), 1000 grain weight (43.54 g) and grain yield (6.12 t ha^-1) of wheat were recorded with 500 g a.i. ha^-1 application rate of this herbicide. Grain yield was 30% higher in this treatment over weedy check. A 100% control of most of the broad leaved weeds at 550 g a.i. ha^-1 and narrow leaved weeds at 400 g a.i. ha^-1 dose proved that narrow leaved weeds are more susceptible to new herbicide compared with broad leaved weeds. Therefore, carfentrazone-ethyl + clodinafop-propargyl + metsulfuron-methyl at application rate of 500 g ha^-1 proved to be the best option for effective weed management in wheat.