Morpho-physiological variations in Echinichloa with herbicide efficacy

The morphological characters observed in 23 Echinochloa accessions were plant height, culms, panicles size, spikelet length, arrangement of spikelets, awn (presence or absence), stigma/anther colour, seed production/plant, 1000 seed weight, grain shattering characteristics, caryopsis colour and appearance of plant (erect/drooping). Pre and post emergence herbicides efficacy of penoxsulam, bispyribac sodium, cyhalofop butyl, butachlor and pretilachlor in Echinochloa accessions were studied. Physiological traits viz., Leaf membrane permeability (%), lipid peroxidation (MDA content), photosynthetic pigments i.e. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, carotenoids and chlorophyll fluorescence were also recorded. Cyhalofop butyl showed the maximum efficacy on the basis of percent mortality and reduction in dry matter accumulation among all the herbicides tested. GR50 values more than recommended dose of herbicide indicate the herbicide resistance towards the herbicide. Protein profiles and isoenzyme pattern of ten Echinochloa accessions were studied at seedling stage and flag leaf stage.