Effect of population density of Phalaris minor on production potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum) Kaur Ramanjit*, Associate Professor, Mahey R.K., Registrar, Kingra P.K., Associate Professor Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141 004 *Corresponding author Email: ramaan180103@yahoo.com
Online published on 6 July, 2012. Abstract A field experiment was conducted at Ludhiana, Punjab, for two years (2006–07 and 2007–08) to study the effect of varying population levels viz., 0, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250 and a solid stand of Phalaris minor on the production potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori and Paol) crop and also to find out the critical threshold level of Phalaris minor. In the experiment Phalaris minor population was deliberately maintained in wheat crop after 30 days of sowing. As the population density of Phalaris minor increased, the dry matter production, number of tillers as well as effective tillers and ultimately yield of wheat decreased exponentially. Even the presence of 15 plants/m2 Phalaris minor resulted in significant decrease (14%) in wheat yield. Reduction in wheat yield was mainly attributed to reduction in the number of effective tillers, lesser grains/spike and lower 1,000-grain weight. Top Keywords Phalasis minor, Population density, Wheat. Top |