Weed control in wheat through different sorghum formulations as an organic herbicide
Muhammad Waqas Aslam Cheema1,2, Tassadduq Rasool1,3*, Hassan Munir1, Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal4, Tayyaba Naz5, Muhammad Ikram-ul-Haq1, Ahmad Mustafa1, Mubashar Nadeem1, Sami Ullah6
1Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Pakistan Oilseed Board Development, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Islamabad, Pakistan
3Directorate General Soil Survey, Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
4Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Chiniot, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
5Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
6PARC Arid Zone Research Institute, D.I. Khan, Pakistan
Abstract
The impact of phytotoxic potential of sorghum formations and herbicide application along with their comparative economic advantages over each other in the wheat crop, was evaluated in present filed study. The sorghum formulations with their application volumes were as i) the water soaked extract (330 L ha-1), ii) water boiled extract (15, 20, 25 or 30 L ha-1), iii) fine powdered (270, 360, 450 or 540 g ha-1). Most of the sorghum formulations controlled weed density in array 24-61%. The weeds dry weight was declined by 20-59% and crop yield raised upto 25%. The water soaked extract at a volume of 330 L ha-1 and water boiled extract at 20 L ha-1 volume were not only useful in weed control but also enhanced yield and demonstrated economic profitability. These treatments provided higher rates of marginal returns % 154.54 $ and 47.70 $, respectively. Although, sorghum powder were effective in weed control but were uneconomical because of their high production cost.
