Management alternatives for Phalaris minor in the rice–wheat cropping system

Abstract

Wheat is the second most important staple food after rice for the Indian population. Wheat crop is infested with diverse grasses and broadleaved weeds. Amongst these, Phalaris minor has evolved multiple resistance against many commercial herbicides leading to weed control failures and crop yield losses. Alternate herbicides should be used in rotation, sequence or mixture to reduce the
selection pressure, and evolution of herbicide resistant weeds. For this, farmers must be made aware about the alternate herbicides and their mechanism of action. Further, prevention of weed seed replenishment should be part of weed control programmes to reduce the soil weed seedbank. Nonchemical methods such as cultural and physical weed control along with herbicide stewardship
guidelines need to be designed for management of herbicide resistant weeds.