Phalaris minor is a problematic weed that has a negative impact on wheat production, reducing yield and quality. The widespread adoption of no-till systems and the over-reliance on herbicides has led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant phalaris minor, making its management even more challenging. Effective control of phalaris minor after the first irrigation is, therefore, crucial to minimize yield loss and enhance the quality of wheat.
Here are some recommended control practices for phalaris minor in wheat after the first irrigation:
1. Cultural Control
Cultural practices can help to reduce phalaris minor infestations. Cultural control measures include crop rotation, seedbed preparation, crop residue management, and timely irrigation. Crop rotation, where wheat is rotated with other crops such as legumes or oilseed crops, can break the weed’s life cycle, reduce seed production, and minimize phalaris minor infestations. In addition, seedbed preparation, such as early plowing and harrowing, ensures that weed seeds remain dormant, reducing their germination rate. Crop residue management, such as removing crop residues, can help to reduce the weed’s growth by reducing the availability of moisture and nutrients.
2. Chemical Control
Chemical control of phalaris minor can be achieved through the application of herbicides. However, due to the herbicide-resistant nature of this weed, chemical control is often challenging. Pre-emergence herbicides such as isoproturon, flufenacet, and pendimethalin can be used to control phalaris minor. Post-emergence applications of herbicides such as fenoxaprop- P-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl, and pinoxaden can control established weed populations. A tank mix of herbicides with different modes of action can also help to control herbicide-resistant phalaris minor.
3. Manual Control
Hand weeding can be an effective control measure for phalaris minor after the first irrigation. However, this is often not a practical solution due to the size of the infestation and the labor costs involved. If hand weeding is chosen as a control measure, it should be done before the weed has reached the tillering stage to avoid damaging the wheat crop.
4. Biological Control
Biological control measures have not been widely used against phalaris minor. However, the use of phalaris minor-specific pathogens, such as Puccinia striiformis and Pyrenophora semeniperda, may help to control the weed population.
In conclusion, the control of phalaris minor in wheat after the first irrigation is essential to minimize yield loss and improve the quality of wheat. A combination of cultural, chemical, and manual control measures, as well as the use of biological control measures, may be used to control phalaris minor effectively. Farmers should also adopt an integrated weed management strategy to reduce the over-reliance on herbicides and reduce the likelihood of herbicide-resistant phalaris minor developing.