Studies on effect of sowing methods and weed management practices on weed control and yield performance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

Introduction

Wheat is a globally vital cereal crop, providing approximately 20% of the world's dietary calories, 55% of carbohydrates and protein. It is cultivated across diverse climates, and is a staple in over 40 countries. Its nutritional profile includes carbohydrates, fibre, and essential micronutrients making it central to food security and human health. It provides about 20 per cent of daily protein and food calories to the people (Sharma et al., 2025) [5] . Sowing methods played a crucial role in the placement of seed at proper depth and stand establishment of the growing crop that ultimately affects crop growth and productivity (Abd El Lattie, 2014) [1] , ensuring proper crop establishment and favourable plant population in the field (Singh et al., 2019) [3] . The production of wheat is directly impacted by several biotic and abiotic factors. Among these, the most limiting biological constraint is the infestation of weeds. Yield reduction due to weeds in wheat ranging from 15-50%, depending upon the weed density and type of weed flora (Jat et al., 2003) [2] . Effective weed management in wheat is critical for maximizing yields and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. A judicious combination of an effective sowing method and weed management practice acts in favour of producing higher grain yields favouring crop growth and development.

Materials and Methods

The field experiment was conducted the Students' Instructional Farm (SIF), Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. during rabi season of 2023-24. Kanpur is located at 26.45º North and 80.33º East in the central western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Situated in the flat Indo-Gangetic plains, Kanpur has an average elevation of 318 m above sea level. It has a monsoon influenced humid subtropical climate (Cwa) bordering on a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) under the Koppen's climate classification. Maximum temperature ranged between 13 ºC and 43 ºC while minimum temperature 5.1 ºC and 26.4 ºC. The soil of experimental site was sandy loam with a pH 7.46, medium in organic carbon (0.48%), available N (174 kg ha -1 ), available P (20.30 kg ha -1 ) and available K (183.50 kg ha -1 ). The wheat variety K-1317 was sown at 22.5 cm spacing on 2 nd December, 2023. The experiment was layout in a split plot design including three sowing methods, viz. criss cross sowing, line sowing and broadcasting in the main plots, and five weed management practices, viz. Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron 5% (Total) @ 40 g ha -1 , Pinoxaden @1lt ha -1 fb Carfentrazone @ 50 g ha -1 , Mesosulfuron 3% + Iodosulfuron methyl sodium 0.6% (Atlantis) @ 400g ha -1 , Hand weeding twice (20 DAS & 40DAS) and Weedy check in sub plots; replicated thrice. The recommended dose of fertilizer was applied to the crop. Full dose of P and K and half that of N were applied at the time of sowing and the remaining nitrogen was applied in two equal splits at tillering and pre heading stage. The crop received four irrigations. All herbicides were applied by knap sack sprayer mixed in 500 lt water at 32 DAS. The weed data is subjected to square root analysis before statistical analysis. Weed control efficiency was calculated by the given formula

where, WCE = Weed Control Efficiency DWC = Dry weight of weeds in weedy check plot (g m -2 ) DWT= Dry weight of weeds in treated plot (g m -2 )

Results and Discussion

The data recorded was in table 1 related to weed density (number/m 2 ), weed dry weight (g/m 2 ), weed control efficiency (%), effective tillers (number/m 2 ), grain yield (kg/ha), straw yield (kg/ha).

Effect on weeds

The prominent weeds found were Chenopodium album, Phalaris minor, Avena ludoviciana, Melilotus indica, Anagallis arvensis.

Criss cross sowing was the most effective as compared to line sowing and broadcasting, reducing the weed density and weed dry weight as seen in Table 1 andTable 2. This reduction maybe attributed to higher plant population, suppressing weed growth and hence reduced crop weed competition. Hand weeding twice (20 DAS and 40 DAS) recorded lower weed density, significantly lower weed dry weight as seen in Table 1 and followed by Mesosulfuron 3% + Iodosulfuron methyl sodium 0.6% (Atlantis) @ 400g ha -1 , Pinoxaden @1lt ha -1 fb Carfentrazone @ 50 g ha -1 , Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron 5% (Total) @ 40 g ha -1 . Weedy check plot found highest weed population and dry weight as confirmed by findings of Walia et al., 2012 [7] . The weed control efficiency given in Table 1 showed highest for Hand weeding twice (20 DAS and 40 DAS) while lowest weed control efficiency was found for Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron 5% (Total) @ 40 g ha -1 .

Effect on crop

Table 2 show that Criss cross sowing was found to have significantly higher production of effective tillers, test weight, grain yields and straw yields as compared to line sowing and broadcasting. This may be due to optimum plant population per unit land area resulting in lesser crop weed competition, better dry matter production, during the crop growth period (Singh et al., 2020) [4] . Table 2 show that Hand weeding twice (20 DAS and 40 DAS) recorded significantly higher number of effective tillers, test weight, resulting in better grain yields and straw yields as compared to Mesosulfuron 3% + Iodosulfuron methyl sodium 0.6% (Atlantis) @ 400g ha -1 , Pinoxaden @1lt ha -1 fb Carfentrazone @ 50 g ha -1 , Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron 5% (Total) @ 40 g ha -1 . Weedy check recorded the lowest number of effective tillers, test weight resulting in reduced grain yields and straw yields. The higher yields are attributed to better crop recovery from weed stress, leading to balanced biomass accumulation, better weed control of mixed weed flora and higher weed control efficiency resulting in effective natural resource utilization and better yield components. These were confirmed by Verma et al. (2021) [6] . Pinoxaden @1lt ha -1 fb Carfentrazone @50 g ha -1 (W2) 7.12 (50.66) It also recorded maximum grain yield (4345 kg ha⁻¹) and straw yield (6158 kg ha⁻¹). Among herbicides, Mesosulfuron + Iodosulfuron (Atlantis) @ 400 g ha⁻¹ was the best chemical option. Therefore, Criss Cross Sowing + Hand Weeding twice is recommended for higher wheat productivity and effective weed management in Central Uttar Pradesh

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors express sincere gratitude to the Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, for providing the necessary facilities and support to conduct the present investigation during the rabi season of 2023-24. The authors are also thankful to the staff of the Students' Instructional Farm for their assistance in field experimentation and data collection. Special thanks are extended to all faculty members and university for their valuable suggestions and encouragement during the course of the study

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