Effect of application timings and tank mixture of herbicides on weed suppression, crop growth and yield of wheat

Herbicides have increasingly become a key component on crop production system because they offer the easiest, cheapest and timely weed management, resulting in higher yield and profit. A single herbicide application in field conditions in most of the cases is not enough to control diverse weed flora. In such situations, tank mixtures of herbicides may provide a prime option to control a broad spectrum of weeds. Cyperus rotundus L., a world's most tenacious weed, is becoming a problematic weed in conservation crop production systems. A two-year study (2013/14 and 2014/15) was established in South-West Bangladesh to evaluate the effect of application timings and sole and tank mixtures of 2,4-D and ethoxysulfuron herbicides on weed suppression and performance of wheat. 2,4-D and ethoxysulfuron were applied solely and as tank mixtures at 10, 20, and 30 days after sowing (DAS) and these treatments were compared with completely weedy and weed-free treatments. In controlling weeds, tank mixtures of 2,4-D and ethoxysulfuron performed better than their sole application at any application timing; however, at the earliest time (10 DAS), the combination created toxicity to wheat plants, resulting in 10-22% and 11-32% less wheat plant density and biomass, respectively, compared with their sole application. Tank-mix herbicides reduced C. rotundus biomass by 87-91%, 88-100%, and 79-80% when applied at 10, 20, and 30 DAS, respectively, compared with the weedy plots. The plots applied with tank mixtures at 20 and 30 DAS produced wheat grain yield similar to that of weed-free plots, indicating that the tank mixture of 2,4-D plus ethoxysulfuron herbicides is the best option to control weeds without any toxicity to wheat plants.