Keeping in view the monetary and environmental significance of weeds in wheat crop, Department of Agronomy, MNS-UAM, organized a one day workshop titled as “Integrated Weed Management for Sustainable Wheat Production” on February 26, 2019.
The event enclosed informative presentations/lectures by doamin experts followed by interactive discussion, Q&A session, and a field demonstration.
The honorable speakers spoke on the workshop allied to their particular topics to comprehend the role to minimize crop yield losses due to weeds.
Dr. Nazim Hussain Labar (Department of Agronomy, BZU) highlighted the farmer’s weed related anxiety in the cotton-wheat cropping system and the way out. He discussed the 10 most worrying weeds of wheat and cotton.
Dr. Amar Matloob (Department of Agronomy, MNS-UAM) discussed need of integrated weed management (IWM) practices in wheat. Due to diverse agro-climatic conditions of Pakistan, 267 weed species have been identified that cause monetary loss worth 3 billion US$ annually.
Prof. Dr. Shafqat Saeed (Dean, FAES, MNS-UAM) said that the Syngenta RISQ Test is a bioassay that is used to detect field resistance early in the season. In this test, seedlings are transplanted into agar mixed with different rates of herbicides and results are obtained in 10-14 DAT (for Phalaris minor 10-12 DAT).
Dr. Abdul Ghaffar (Department of Agronomy, MNS-UAM) briefed the participants about Pakistan climate change unforeseen drought spells and recurrent floods. He also advised the farmers to apply water and fertilizers in a judicious manner so that resource use efficiency is maximized.
Dr. Khuram Mubeen (Department of Agronomy, MNS-UAM) discussed about the invasive weeds with special emphasis on parthenium weed or congress grass, and the potential damages incurred by such weeds to an ecosystem.
The workshop provided a platform to institutions, researchers, faculties, young scientists, farmers and others stakeholders to promote linkages and discuss future opportunities for joint research and knowledge exchange.
The participants also visited experimental farm of MNS-UAM and witnessed innovative weed management practices and satisfactory weed control leading to healthy crop stands.