Weed Control in Wheat field

Generally, weeds are eradicated with the help of hoe, khurpi etc. However, now-a-days because of increasing cost of labour and also due to its non availability, a number of chemical weedicides are used for this purpose. The most common and effective weedicide to kill all the broad leaved weeds in wheat field is 2,4-D. Its optimum quantity is mixed in about 400 to 600 litres of water for spraying in an area of one hectare. The amount of water may however, vary according to the type of sprayer

Different formulations of 2, 4-D, amount of active ingredient in them, and their quantity/ha to be used

2, 4-D should be sprayed in wheat fields 32-35 days after sowing. This period may be extended to the maximum limit of  one week. But after 40 days of sowing, spray of 2,4-D is not beneficial, because by that time the weeds have already caused the damage to the crop. Secondly, after 40 days, weeds become woody in nature and are difficult to be killed with recommended dose of 2,4-D. When 2,4-D is sprayed between 25 and 30 days. the ears of wheat have been found to suffer from malformation. Malformation adversely affects the uniformity of, seed size and thereby reduces their values as grain and I C seed. Spikelets with gaps result in reduction in total i ~ number of grains per head and finally leads to reduced I " grain yield. While spraying 2,4-D avoid drift of spray to the adjoining crop fields, because a slight drift of 2,4-D may spoil pulse crops like pea, gram, lentil and mustard. It is desirable to spread 2,4-D when the wind velocity is minimum.