Weed Management in Wheat Crop

15 December 2021, New Delhi: Wheat is the second most important crop for food grains in India after rice. Its maximum consumption happens in the north and north-western part of India. After independence, the yield of wheat in India was only 663 kg/ha, due to which wheat was imported from abroad. After the Green Revolution i.e. in 1960, with the advent of progressive wheat varieties, India progressively became self-sufficient in wheat. Today, India is ranks second after China in the world by producing 870 lakh tonnes. At present, the yield stands at 3,533 kg/ha.

In India, Uttar Pradesh is at the first position with the highest yield of 252.2 lakh tonnes followed by Punjab with 157.8 lakh tonnes and Madhya Pradesh with 141.8 lakh tonnes. As far as the productivity is concerned, Uttar Pradesh being the largest area, its productivity is 3432 kg / ha which is below the national standard. Punjab has the productivity with 5188 kg / ha.

State-wise Wheat Area and Productivity

State	Area (LakhHa) 2019-2020*	Area (Lakh Ha) 2018-19	Productivity (kg/ha) 2019-2020*	Productivity (kg/ha) 2018-19
Uttar Pradesh	95.0	95.4	3432	3432
Madhya Pradesh	65.5	55.2	2993	2993
Punjab	35.1	35.2	5008	5188
Haryana	25.3	25.5	4687	4925
Rajasthan	31.2	28.8	3501	3501
Bihar	22.5	21.6	2626	2998
Gujarat	10.2	8.0	3155	3020
Maharashtra	12.5	8.3	1657	1497
Uttarakhand	3.2	3.3	2889	2910
West Bengal	1.9	1.1	3100	3012
Others	12.2	10.8	1927	1858
Total	314.5	293.2	3421	3533

The yield of crop depends on crop protection which includes controlling biotic factors. Weed management and disease and pest management are the main biological factors. Here we will discuss about weed management.

Mandusi or Gulli Danda (Phalaris minor) weed is the main weed of wheat crop. If not controlled in time, it may go upto 2000 to 3000 tillers in one square meter and the farmer will have to use his crop as fodder. In the 1980s, Isoproturon continued to be used for the control of this weed, but in later years Phalaris minor became resistant to this weedicide.

Three ways to control weeds in wheat crop

1. Inter cultivation practices
2. Mechanical Control
3. Chemical Control

In this research article, an attempt has been made to give some necessary suggestions/information regarding the use of weedicides by the farmers. 

Weedicide can be used in wheat in two ways:-
Pre-emergence (pre-emergence)
Weeds when two to four leaves (post-emergence)

Before crop and weed establishment (pre-emergence):
The growing weeds can be destroyed by sprinkling of pendimethylene @ 3.3 liters per hectare in 500 liters of water immediately after sowing of wheat.

When weeds are in two to four leaves (post-emergence):
Use of post-emergence weedicide in wheat should be done 7 to 10 days after the first irrigation (21 days after sowing) when the fields are established and the weeds are in 2 to 4 leaf stage.

Use of weedicide chemicals in wheat:

Weedicide	Quantity/hectare	Timeofapplication	TypeofWeed
Metsulfuron methyl	20 Grams	35-40 days after sowing	Broad Leaf
Carfentrazone 40% df (nabood)	50 Grams	35-40 days after sowing	Broad Leaf
Vidmar Super (2,4-D Amine Salt 58% SL)	860 to 1290 ml	35-40 days after sowing	Broad Leaf
Sulfosulfuron	33.3 Grams	35-40 days after sowing	Broad and Narrow leaf
Barrier (Metribuzin 70% WP)	250 Grams	Before sowing or just after sowing	Broad and Narrow leaf
Clodinofop Propergyl 15% WP (dynohop)	400 Grams	35-40 days after sowing	Narrow Leaf
Pinoxadene (Fenox-1000)	800-900 ml	35-40 days after sowing	Narrow Leaf

Precautions:

1. Use chemical weedicides when there is sufficient moisture in the soil.
2. Use post-emergence weedicide only when weedicide is in 2 to 4 leaf stage.
3. Spraying of any weedicide should be done only in the state of soil moisture.
4. Spray at 2-3 leaf stage of Mandusi, otherwise favorable results will not be obtained.
5. Spray with flat fan/flood jet nozzle in clear weather.
6. Spray weedicides evenly.
7. Never spray Sulfosulfuron in the field in which any other crop is being grown.

Seed Treatment of Wheat

Before sowing of wheat, seed treatment of wheat is very important from the point of view of production. Vitavex Ultra is a great fungicide for this, it contains two powerful fungicides, Carboxin and Thiram. With its treatment, seeds can be saved from many types of fungal diseases and high production can be obtained with good germination.

80-120 ml Fungicide is dissolved in 200 l water. The medicine mixture must be sprinkled evenly on about 40 kg seed. The seeds are dried by keeping them in the shade.