COMPETITIVE ABILITY OF WHEAT CULTIVARS AGAINST COMPLEX WEED FLORA IN ZERO-TILL PLANTING

Continuous and indiscriminate use of herbicides may lead to many problems such as resistance in weeds, residue in crop and soil, pollution hazards, health hazards to non-target organisms. In wheat crop, farmers can select a competitive cultivar to smoother weeds. Two year field studies were conducted at agricultural research farm of Banaras Hindu University to evaluate competitive attributes of wheat cultivars against complex weed population in wheat grown under zero-till. Variety K8027 which had taller plant and higher leaf area index was found most competitive against weed when compared with other varieties viz.K9107, HUW234, HUW468 and NW1014. Tank mix application of isoproturon + 2,4-D sodium salt at 1.0 + 0.5 kg/ha as post-emergence treatment was most effective in suppressing of weeds in all the varieties.