Herbicide economy with surfactants to control weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1987-88 and 1988-89 to economize the dose of isoproturon and methabenzthiazuron with surfactants for the control of weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). There were 28 treatment combinations of 2 herbicides (isoproturon and methabenzthiazuron), 3 doses [50% of the recommended, 75% of the recommended and recommended (1.5 kg/ha)] and unweeded check in main plots; and 4 surfactants [no surfactant, Selwet (0.5% V/V), Triton x-100 (0.1% V/V) and Teepol (0.5% V/V)] in subplots with 3 replications. Methabenzthiazuron was found superior to isoproturon in controlling the weeds. Surfactants increased the efficacy of both herbicides in controlling Lolium temulentum L. and other weeds. All the herbicides at 50% of the recommended dose in combination with Selwet and Teepol surfactants and 75% of the recommended dose with Selwet being staistically at par gave significantly higher grain yield than recommended dose without surfactant. The recommended dose with surfactant caused phytotoxic effect to the crop.