Shahbaz Khan¹, Sohail Irshad²*, Faisal Mehmood¹, Muhammad Nawaz³

¹Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

²In-Service Agricultural Training Institute, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

³Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, BZU, Bahadur Campus Layyah, Pakistan.

 Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is of prime importance being staple food of the masses of Pakistan. Weed infestation in wheat not only reduce the yield but also affects the efficiency of other production factors. Allelopathy is sustainable and ecofriendly method for the management of weeds and diseases. A field trail was carried out to assess the allelopathic potential of mulberry and sorghum water extracts against invasive winter weeds like Phalaris minor. Retz, Chenopodium album L., Avena fatua L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. in wheat at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. All the treatment application showed better weed management and enhanced final yield of the crop. Application of sorghum water extract (SWE) at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 and mulberry water extract (MWE) at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 indicated better weed management (51-55%) and improved grain yield (28%) as compared to control. SWE at the rate of 27 L ha^-1 and MWE at the rate of 9 L ha^-1 in combined application also showed better weed management and improved the grain yield while Atlatis (Standard herbicide) had 66-68% weed control and 32% increase in final yield but it was not found economical. Combined application of SWE at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 and MWE at the rate of 18 L ha^-1 was found best combination with maximum net return while hand weeding and herbicide application were extravagant because of high cost and low net return. 

Keywords: Allelopathy, Wheat, Water Extracts, Weeds