Chemical weed management in wheat (Triticum aestivum) under semi-arid conditions of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 201415 at the Research Farm, Tarnak, Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan to evaluate the chemical weed control effects on weeds and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol.]. The treatments comprised of isoproturon @ 0.75 and 1.00 kg/ha at 35 DAS, sulfosulfuron @ 20 and 25 g/ha at 35 DAS, isoproturon + 2,4-D @ (0.75 + 0.5) kg/ha at 35 DAS (tank-mix treatment), weed-free check and weedy check, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha at 35 DAS resulted in sig- nificant reduction in weed growth (population and dry weight) and caused a considerable increase in weed control efficiency (WCE) and weed control index (WCI) in wheat. This treatment led to a significant improvement in yield attributes and yield of wheat. It also caused a considerable reduction in wheat yield losses due to weeds, and was superior to all other herbicide treatments. Sulfosulfuron 20 g/ha at 35 DAS was the next best treatment. Sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha applied at 35 DAS gave significantly higher gross and net returns, but comparable with sulfosulfuron 20 g/ha. Therefore, sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha applied at 35 DAS may be recommended for effective broad-spectrum weed control in wheat in Kandahar, Afghanistan. However, this report highlights the results of a location-specific study, conducted for one year, which needs to be replicated over times for more refinement/ vali- dation and sound recommendation.