EFFECT OF SIX PROBLEMATIC WEEDS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT

Abstract

A field study was carried out at the Botanical Garden of the University of Punjab, Pakistan, to investigate the yield losses by 6 commonly occurring and most abundant weeds in wheat field viz., Phalaris minor Retz., Rumex dentatus L., Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm., Medicago denticulata Willd., Chenopodium album L., and Poa annua L. These weeds were grown with two commercially grown wheat varieties viz., Inqalab 91 and Punjab 96 in 1:1 weed-crop ratio. Maximum yield losses of 76% in Inqalab 91 were caused by P. annua followed by 75% by C. didymus, whereas other weeds caused 60-70% yield losses. In case of Punjab 96, maximum yield reduction of 55% was caused by R. dentatus followed by P. minor (28%), M. denticulata, C. album (23%), C. didymus (10%) and P. annua (0%). Punjab 96 proved to be the comparatively resistant against weeds than Inqalab 91.