Sajid Mahmood, M: Barley residue water extract use for weed

Weeds cause significant yield reduction under semi- arid conditions of Pakistan especially in pulses. Mungbean is the important pulse in Northern region of Punjab, Pakistan, but its yield is very low due to severe weed infestation. The existing practice of hand weeding is no more practicable. Therefore, sustainable, cost-effective and farmer friendly strategy needs to be developed so that the resource poor farmers can earn sustainable livelihood. This book contains research findings of comprehensive experimentation on the use of barley water extract in combination with low doses of pendimethalin for weed control in Mungbean under semi-arid conditions of Pakistan. The data revealed that barley water extract (@ 12 L ha-1) in combination with Pendimethalin (@0.5 kg a.i. ha-1 )significantly reduced weed density and biomass i.e. 50% and proved most-economical and affordable option. The same strategy resulted in 28% increase in mungbean grain yield relative the control. The findings suggest the inclusion of barley in fallow-Mungben cropping system can for effective and natural weed control under semi-arid conditons of Paksitan.