Dynamics of Phalaris minor in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different establishment methods and weed control measures

Wheat is the second most important food grain next to rice in India in terms of area and production with a targeted annual growth rate of 1.9 with respect to yield (DAC, 2013-14). Weeds account for about one third of total losses caused by various biotic stresses (Gopinath and Mina, 2009). Yield reduction to the tune of 15 to 50 % or sometime more depending upon the weed density and weed flora also reported (Jat et al., 2003). Wheat fields in Northern India are hugely infested with wide range of grassy and non grassy weeds in general and Phalaris minor Retz. in particular. To tackle with the problems of weed infestation, different tillage practices tested in different climatic situations. But, change in tillage leads to change in weed flora. Use of herbicides can be effectively integrated with different planting patterns like zero tillage, strip till drill, roto till seed drill etc. sowing in standing stubbles, and zero till sowing with complete or partial burning of stubbles to allow the competition in favour of wheat. The actions of herbicides on weeds have been tested under conventional method of wheat sowing but new techniques of establishment of wheat revealed different types of weed flora with different density of weeds and their management practices are also different to the conventional system.