USE OF CONCENTRATED AQUEOUS PLANT EXUDATES AS WEED CONTROL MEASURE IN WHEAT CROP

A field trial was conducted at Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan during 2005-06 to investigate the efficacy of various weed management strategies for wheat crop. In this regard, the wheat variety “Uqaab 2000” was used in a randomized complete block design. The study comprised of 12 treatments viz., water exudates of sorghum, sunflower, rice, brassica alone, combination of sorgaab + sunflower, sorgaab + brassica, sorgaab + rice, sunflower + brassica, sunflower + rice, brassica + rice @ 12 L ha^-1, Buctril-M + Puma super 75 EW (500 ml ha^-1 each) and control. Water exudates, their combinations and herbicides were applied (15, 25 and 45 days after sowing). All the treatments significantly affected weed density, fresh and dry weed biomass. Lowest weed density was noticed at all stages of the crop in Buctril ® M + Puma super 75 EW treated plots which remained statistically at par with sunflower as sole application and combination of sorgaab + sunflower. However, maximum weed density, fresh and dry weed biomass were recorded in control plots followed by combination of exudates brassica + rice, which indicated the harmonic effect of allelochemicals found in these two crops. The effect of allelochemicals found in sunflower can be utilized as bio-herbicide. Benefit cost ratio confirmed that the use of exudates was more economical than herbicide application.