Effect of low doses of atrazine and metribuzin on Phalaris minor and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A study was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2000–2002 to find out the optimum dose of atrazine and metribuzin and their effect on canary grass (Phalaris minor Retz.) and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Canary grass lowered the crop yield by 57.6% but their control by atrazine lessened yield loss up to 53%. Atrazine at 50 and 75 g/ha completely ceased the growth of canary grass till the end of crop growth and resulted in significantly higher increase in productive tillers, yield attributes and grain yield compared to metribuzin. The latter caused higher decrease in canary grass and sweet clover (Melilotus spp.) population, but with its increasing dose the yield decreased significantly. Hand-weeding resulted in the highest increase, being significantly superior to all other treatments.