Research at UAF - Demonstration of technologies developed by the Department of Agronomy in the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Name of principal Investigator: DR. ZAHID ATA
Telephone: 041-9200161/2931
Fax: 041-9200605
E-mail:cheemaza@gmail.com
Name of Co-Principal Investigator : DR.MUHAMMAD FAROOQ
Telephone: 041-9200161/2931
Fax: 041-9200605
E-mail: farooqcp@gmail.com
Duration (Months): 36
Cost (Rs): 55, 9000
Funding Agency: FDTTPC Endowment Fund University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Progress Reports

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted to determine suitable combination of Sorghum water extract (sorgaab) and sunflower water extract (sunfaab) with reduced doses of pre- emergence herbicides for weed control in cotton and maize. The four treatments tested under these trials including weedy check, hand weeding, full dose of herbicides and half dose of herbicides along with allelopathic plant extracts. Recommended dose of herbicides reduced total weeds dry weight by 60% to 75% and results of half dose of herbicides along with allelopathic plant extracts also comparable with full dose of herbicides in cotton and maize.  Results of the study showed herbicides dose could be reduced by 50-65% in combination with allelopathic plant extracts. The objective of this study was to find suitable combination of herbicides with allelopathic plant extracts for weed control.
Problem Statement: 
Weeds are known to cause enormous losses to crop plants by overall reduction in yield. Continuous use of synthetic herbicides not only results in resistant weed biotypes but also deteriorating the environment, which necessitates designing alternative weed management strategies on sustained basis.
Objectives:
 

      • To determine suitable combination of allelopathic plant water extract and different herbicides for weed control in different crops.
      • To evaluate the potential of allelopathic water extracts for weed control without herbicides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Cotton variety FH-1000 and maize hybrid DK-919 were sown in 75 cm and 70 cm apart rows respectively. Primextra Gold @ 1080 g a.i ha-1(Full dose) and pendimethaline @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 (Full dose) were applied in maize and cotton respectively. Allelopathic water extracts combined with different herbicides like Pendimethaline and Primextra Gold were sprayed as pre-emergence in cotton and maize respectively. Data pertaining to weed density, weed biomass and cotton yield parameters were recorded and analyzed by using standard procedures. Data of weed density, fresh weight were collected after 40 and 60 days of sowing. Then, these samples kept in oven and take dry weight after 48 hours. Recommended dose of fertilizer and irrigation was applied. 

Treatments:
Following treatments were tested.
T1= Weedy check
T2= Hand weeding
T3= Full dose of herbicides
T4= Half dose of herbicides along with allelopathic plant extracts.

Results and Discussion:

More than 55% weed inhibition was attained by using plant water extracts. Herbicide dose was reduced from 50% to 65% in combination with plant water extracts. The results are according to the expectations and support the concept of allelopathic water extracts can be used to decrease the herbicide usage.

Conclusion:
Thus significant results of allelopathic water extracts were observed in combination with reduced dose of pendimethalin. Herbicide dose could be reduced by 50 to 60% in combination with allelopathic plant extracts.
Recommendations:
Use of Allelopathic plant water extracts along with half dose of herbicide give good results for weed control on sustained basis.

T1=Weedy check, T2= Hand weeding, T3= Full dose of herbicides, T4= Half dose of herbicides along with allelopathic plant water extracts.
T1=Weedy check, T2= Hand weeding, T3= Full dose of herbicides, T4= Half dose of herbicides along with allelopathic plant water extracts.