Evaluation of Different Weed Management Practices on Growth Variables and Yield of Wheat Varieties

A field experiment was conducted in medium fertile soil at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during November 2017 to April 2018 in Rabi season with a view to evaluate the performance of wheat varieties under different weed control methods. The experiment was carried out with three varieties i.e. BARI Gom-28, BARI Gom-29 and BARI Gom-30 in the main plot and five weed management methods viz. control (no weeding), two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, Panida 33EC (Pendimethalin) @ 2000 ml ha-1 at 5 DAS pre-emergence, Afinity 50.75WP (Isoproturon) 1500 g ha-1 at 25 DAS as post-emergence herbicide and Panida 33EC (Pendimethalin) @ 2000 ml ha-1 at 5 DAS + Afinity 50.75WP (Isoproturon)1500 g ha-1 at 25 DAS in the sub plot in split plot design. Nine different major weed species were found in the field such as Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Echinochloa colonum, Eleusine indica, Chenopodium album, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Brassica kaber, Leliotropium indicum, Vicia sativa. Results reveled that BARI Gom-30 contributed the highest grain yield 3.01 tha-1. Pre-emergence application of Panida 33EC controlled weeds significantly which showed highest growth followed by yield achieved in wheat. BARI Gom-30 in combination with Panida 33EC produced the highest grain yield 3.52 tha-1 while the lowest grain yield 2.09 t ha-1 was obtained from BARI Gom-28 with no weeding treatment. Results reveled that Panida 33EC (pre-emergence) was found more effective to controlling weeds in wheat. Results of the study finally reveled that Panida 33EC might be considered as a feasible option for combating weed and ensuring higher yield in wheat cultivation.