Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different weed control methods in canola at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The weed control methods evaluated were manual (two hand weedings at 20 & 40 DAS) chemical (S. metolachlor @ 1 and 1.4 kg a.i. ha" at sowing), allelopathic (sorgaab concentrated @ 12 L ha' two and three foliar sprays at 20, 40 and 20, 40 & 60 DAS). Sorgaab @ 12 L ha' was combined with S. metolachlor @ 500 and 700 g a.i. ha' and sprayed either at sowing or 15 DAS and weedy check was maintained for comparison. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in 5m x 2.1 m plots. Results showed that two hand weedings gave maximum reduction (67 & 77%) in total weed density, dry weight and highest canola yield (942 kg ha") but was uneconomical due to hi~her cost. Combinations of concentrated sorgaab @ 12 L ha" with half dose of S. metolachlor @ 700 g a.i. ha- sprayed at sowing or at 15 DAS was quite effective in reducing weed density and dry weight (45 to 55%), improving canola yield (32%) and appeared economical due to relatively higher net benefits and marginal rate of return. Sorgaab alone (three sprays) and S. metolachlor alone @ 1 kg a.i. ha' was neither effective nor economical. However sorgaab (two sprays) and S. metolachlor @ 1.4 kg a.i. ha' were economical treatments. Key Words: Sorgaab, S. metolaehlor, canola, weed control, economic analysis
