Growth, Yield Performance, And Post-Harvest Soil Response To Weed Control In Late-Sown Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of weed management strategies on growth performance, yield attributes, and soil status in late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experimental treatments included: (i) a weed-free control, (ii) pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin followed by hand weeding at 30 days after sowing (DAS), and (iii) an untreated weedy check. Both the weed-free control and the Pendimethalin + hand weeding treatment significantly improved plant height, tiller density, dry matter accumulation, and leaf area index compared to the weedy check. Yield components such as the number of spikes per square meter and grains per spike were also markedly enhanced under these treatments. Although spike length and test weight did not differ significantly among treatments, they were numerically superior in the integrated weed management plots. The reduction in crop–weed competition under effective weed control promoted better resource utilization, improved crop establishment, and ultimately increased grain yield. Postharvest soil analysis indicated that integrated weed control practices helped preserve soil health. These findings highlight compare with the importance of timely and integrated weed management—particularly the use of Pendimethalin followed by manual weeding—in maximizing wheat productivity and maintaining soil quality under delayed sowing conditions.