Competitive Ability of Wheat Cultivars Sown on Different Dates with Little Seed Canary Grass (Phalaris minor Retz.)

Field investigations were carried out at the experimental farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi seasons of 2000–01 and 2001–02 to study the smothering potential of wheat cultivars sown on different dates on growth and development of Phalaris minor. The crop sown on October 25 recorded significantly less dry matter accumulation by P. minor, whereas PAR interception (%) and effective tillers were higher as compared to November 10 and 25 sown crops, hence early sown crop increased grain yield by 15.3 and 24.4%, respectively. Among wheat cultivars, PBW 154, PBW 343 and WH 542 smothered P. minor more effectively as compared to PDW 233 and WH 283 cultivars. Though TL 1210 smothered P. minor effectively due to its tall growing habits but it yielded less due to its low tillering capacity. These studies further evisage that combination of early sowing (October 25) with quick growing variety (PBW 154 or PBW 343 or WH 542) provided significantly higher smothering potential against P. minor.