Herbicide residues, Metribuzin + clodinafop-propargyl, Wheat, Weed management

Indiscriminate use of herbicides may raise human and animal health and environmental concerns due to residues on consumables and soil.  Hence, field experiments were conducted during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at PAU Ludhiana and KVK Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, India. The objectives were to assess efficacy of metribuzin + clodinafop-propargyl (ready-mix) in managing weeds in wheat and quantify its residues retained in soil and in wheat produce. It involved spray of metribuzin and clodinafop-propargyl (ready-mix) at rates of 275, 220 and 165 g/ha along with unsprayed for weed management in surface seeded wheat. Metribuzin and clodinafop-propargyl at 275 and 220 g/ha significantly lowered weed density and biomass and improved wheat grain yield compared to its lowest dose of 165 g/ha and unsprayed control. Metribuzin and clodinafop-propargyl residues in soil and crop produce were assessed at harvest time and it was observed that their residue levels were below detectable limits (<0.01 µg/g) and below the maximum residue limit fixed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), indicating metribuzin + clodinafop-propargyl safety to use as an herbicide in wheat production and consumption of wheat produced after its usage.