Effect of isoproturon tank mix with metsulfuron and 2,4-D on weeds and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 1998–99 and 1999–2000 at New Delhi, to find out the effect of isoproturon tank mix with metsulfuron and 2,4-D. A competition was recorded between wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) and canary grass (Phalaris minor Retz.), wild oat (Avena ludoviciana), blue pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis L.) and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L). Competition by these species lowered crop yield by 35%. Isoproturon and its tank mix with metsulfuron and 2,4-D gave excellent control of blue pimpernel (90 to 100%) and lambsquarters (82–97%), moderate control of canary grass (68–87%) but poor control of wild oat (16–36%). The highest increase in yield attributes and yield was under hand-weeding which was significantly superior to other treatments. The effect of tank mix of isoproturon (1,000 g/ha) and 2,4-D (500 g/ha) was consistent and it resulted in higher increase than that of tank mix of metsulfuron.