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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[008] Report-Weed Tour-India 1981r WEED XUR - INDIA 19$1 Homer M. Hepworth During the past few years Phalaris minor Ratz. (Canarygrass or dumbi) has become a serious problem in wheat fields in the Punjab area as well as in other regions. Losses due to this weed are variable but depending upon the density of the infestation. Heavy infestations can completely dominate the wheat crop resulting in a total loss. Yield losses from 20 to 50 per cent are common. Hand weeding is not a solution to this problem because of the difficulty in identifying the seedlings the high seedling populations, the fact that much wheat is still sown broad cast and labor is expensive if available. Several herbicides have been identified which are very effective in controlling this weed as well as some other speicies. The parent herbi- cide companies have worked cooperatively with the Indian agricultural universities, the Agriculture Extension service and privately, to testy demonstrate and market these materials. The tour in which I participated was carried on chiefly to check on the efficacy of (N,N-Dimethyl-N-4- isopropylurea) commonly called Isoproturon. This material is marketed commercially as Tolkan by May & Baker Agrochemicals as a 50 per cent W/W wettable powder. It is also marketed commercially as Arelon by Hoechst Chemical Co., as a 75 per cent W119 wettable powder. The group I travelled with visited several farmer demonstration fields, farmer field days, Punjab Agricultural University and met with both University faculty and extension experts. In general, results from the application of the herbicide Tolkan were excellent, providing virtually complete control of the weeds, particu- larly Phalaris with no phytotoxicity to the wheat crop. Farmers in their - 2 - fields and at the field days were enthusiastic about the result they had obtained. Testimonials at sponsored field days may be slightly suspect but actual observation of the treated fields substantiated their enthusi- asm. The company sponsored a demonstration and sales compaign is co- operation with Indian agricultural authorities. May & Baker committed a sizeable input in technical personnel, transportation etc., to supervise the campaign. The planning and logistics involved were considerable. In carrying out the distribution and application of the herbicide the most serious problem incountered was the lack of sufficient functional sprayers of suitable quality and performance to meet the requirements of the farmers interested. Second, a rather sizeable educational effort was required to train the farmers so that the herbicide was applied properly. The material cost 120 to 140 Indian rupees per acre. A yield increase of 100 kilograms of wheat per acre is required to repay this cost. Most of the farmers are convinced that even at this price herbicides are a good investment. Dr. H.S. Gill, head of Agronomy Department has been leading the research effort in weed control. Attached is a copy of weed control recommendation from the Publication "Package of Practices for Rabi Crops 1980-81" from the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Note that several materials are recommended for Phalaris as well as some others for broadleafed weed control Also attached are copies of two papers from Indian Scientists showing results from several trials and listing recommendations.