Phalaris minor, a grass weed species, is a significant threat to wheat productivity worldwide. Various control options are available to manage this weed, such as cropping systems, non-crop management practices, and chemical control. The effective control of phalaris major in wheat crop needs a comprehensive and integrated approach to prevent the resistance of the weed to herbicides and minimize crop damage.
Cropping Systems:
Cropping systems can be used to reduce the growth of Phalaris minor. Crop rotations employ non-cereal crops, such as legumes or plants that have shorter cropping seasons, to reduce the weed growth. Cereals as a part of crop rotation were reported to reduce Phalaris minor growth. An integrated weed management (IWM) approach combining crop rotation, cultural control, and chemical control was reported to yield better control.
Non-Crop Management:
The control of phalaris major in wheat crop can be achieved by non-crop management practices such as crop residues management, land preparation, and seedbed management. Crop residues management such as the removal of stubbles before planting or post-harvest residue incorporation increases summer heat on weed seed banks, causing a decrease in weed density. Seedbed management entails slit-seeding to sow wheat in ridges to reduce weed growth.
Chemical Control:
Chemical control of Phalaris minor in wheat crop is the most effective way to control the weed. But the increasing resistance among the weeds to herbicides compromises the effectiveness of herbicides. Chemical control must involve a combined application of different herbicides and mixing of herbicides to mitigate resistance development in the weed populations. The application of herbicides during germination, preferably pre-emergence herbicides for control, can yield better results.
To effectively control phalaris minor in wheat crop, farmers should implement an integrated weed management approach with different control options, combining non-chemical, chemical, and cultural control methods. It is crucial to prevent herbicide-resistant populations from developing with a strategic combination of chemical herbicides and residue management. Selective herbicide application rates need to be calibrated to prevent damage to crops, and other control approaches should be used to enhance the effectiveness of chemical control.