Harmonious impacts of allelopathic bacteria with chemical herbicides for sustainable production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under wild oat (Avena fatua L.) infestation

Weeds are one of the major limiting factors for wheat production. So, a study was conducted to integrate allelopathic bacteria with reduced dose of chemical herbicide for sustainable wheat production in wild oat infestation. Cyanide-producing Pseudomonas strains were applied in four combinations with and without two chemical herbicides (Axial and Atlantis) at 25% and 50% recommended dose under axenic conditions. Results showed that C4 combination significantly reduced growth and development of wild oat under 50% Axial while increase wheat growth. Afterward, C4 combination and Axial herbicide were selected for field evaluation, where it reduced the weed density (82.1%), SPAD value (26.0%) and grain yield (88.2%) under 75% Axial, and relative wild oat density (70.9%), photosynthetic rate (26.6%) and transpiration rate (25.6%) under 50% Axial in wild oat. While C4 combination improved SPAD value (26.9%), shoot length (10.1%), tillering (33.3%), biological yield (32.7%), straw yield (24.4%), grain yield (46.8%), transpiration rate (9.6%) and stomatal conductance (14.7%) in wheat under 75% Axial. The increase in growth and yield of wheat was found at par with C4 under 50% and 75% Axial. Thus, it is concluded that allelopathic bacteria could be used with 50% Axial for sustainable wheat production under wild oat.