A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura during Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to study the effect of sequential application of herbicides on weeds and yield of field-pea under temperate conditions. The experiment consisted of 14-treatments which were tested in a complete randomized design replicated thrice. Weeds caused 63.8 and 61.0 per cent reduction in seed yield of field pea during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. Among the herbicides tested, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 1.00 kg/ha followed by post-emergence application of imazethapyr 0.125 kg/ha recorded significantly lowest weed biomass, weed index and highest weed control index, field-pea growth and yield attributes, seed and stover yield, and better economics over the rest treatments. Hand weeding recorded higher growth and yield of field pea but it was not cost-effective.
A field experiment was conducted, to study the effect of by weed control measures and nutrient management on growth and yield of fennel, at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Bikaner during the Rabi season of 2021-22. There were 16 treatment combinations with four nutrient managements: control, 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), 100% RDF and 125% RDF and four weed control measures: weed free, pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha, post-emergence application (PoE) of oxyfluorfen 50 g/ha at 25 DAS and weedy check. A factorial randomized design with three replications was used. The reduction in weed density, biomass and increase in fennel growth and yield were significantly higher with pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha PE than with oxyfluorfen50 g/ha PoE. Weed-free recorded the highest fennel seed yield, biological yield and net returns while pendimethalin0.75 kg/ha PE recorded the highest B: C ratio. Among nutrient levels, 100% RDF recorded the highest fennel seed yield, biological yield and net returns.
The present study aims to determine ammonia, nitrite, lead (II) and chromium (VI) removal efficiencies of the products developed from aquatic weeds, Ceratophyllum demersum and Hydrilla verticillata, collected from Dal-lake, for the first time, from a variety of aquaculture waters (pond, aquaponics, and ornamental) under controlled conditions, followed by a wet-lab-based large-scale experiment. Aquatic weeds were found to be effective in the removal of ammonia, nitrite, Pb(II), and Cr(VI) from a variety of aquaculture waters, which can be attributed to adsorption and ion exchange of priority pollutants on functional moieties, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals present in the aquatic weeds. The experimental results showed that ammonia and nitrite removal was effective at pH 7.5, whereas Cr(VI) removal was observed at pH 2 in treatment with 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L of weed. The average lead biosorption observed was 14 mg/g. The removal efficiencies observed were 60-65% for ammonia, 50% for nitrite, 99% for Cr(IV), and 90% for lead. By integrating bioremediation and livelihood generation, this initiative can not only contribute to environmental restoration but also create sustainable opportunities for local communities, fostering economic growth and social well-being. Utilizing aquatic weeds for bioremediation to generate livelihood opportunities for local communities can be an innovative and sustainable approach. Capacity building of the farmers for plant-assisted bioremediation is also suggested, enabling them to effectively integrate these techniques into their aquaculture operations.
In India, guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) is a valuable forage since its introduction during 1793 to increase the forage quality. Lately, it invaded variable environments as weed in crops such as sugarcane and citrus orchards. A total of four participatory research experiments were conducted during spring season using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The objective was to evaluate efficacy of different pre- and post-emergence herbicides to manage M. maximus in sugarcane. The pre-emergence application (PE) of metribuzin 1.4 kg/ha, diuron 1.6 kg/ha, sulfentrazone + clomazone 1.45 kg/ha and post-emergence application (PoE) of 2,4-D sodium salt + metribuzin + pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 2.4 kg/ha and 2,4-D sodium salt + metribuzin + chlorimuron 2.02 kg/ha recorded maximum control of M. maximus at 30, 60 days after application and at harvest. Furthermore, these treatments resulted in significantly higher cane yield and were at par with each other. Multiple cohorts of M. maximus appears in crop up to 5-6 months of planting of sugarcane, and hence, the highest cane yield was observed in weed free, while physical control measures were costly resulting in lower B:C. Thus, this study underscores the importance of integrated weed management practices for the profitable and sustainable control of M. maximus in sugarcane.
A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Kharif seasons (2022 and 2023) at the Students’ Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur Uttar Pradesh, India, to study the effect of post-emergence herbicides and plant growth promoters in managing weeds and improve productivity of Kharif maize (Zea mays L.). On the pooled data basis, the application of Amino acid + Humic acid + Sea weed extract 2ml/liter of water recorded significantly highest values of maize growth attributes, viz. plant height, dry weight and leaf area index at 90 days after seeding (DAS) and yield attributes, viz. number of cob/plants, number of grain rows/cob, number of grains/row and seed index along with maize grain yield and harvest index. Among herbicidal treatments, tembotrione at 120 g/ha significantly reduced total weed density, fresh weight and dry weed biomass, and recorded the highest weed control efficiency (85.92%). It also recorded maximum growth attributes, improved yield attributes and higher grain yield, harvest index and benefit-cost ratio. There was no substantial interaction between herbicide treatments and plant growth regulators.
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of integrated weed and nutrient management treatments on weed dynamics, crop growth, yield and economics of finger millet under rainfed agroecosystem of eastern India. Experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Four weed management treatments were tested, including weedy check, hand weeding twice at 25 and 45 days after seeding (DAS), pre-emergence application (PE) of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 20 g/ha followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) once at 30 DAS, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 20 g/ha PE fb post-emergence application (PoE) of 2,4-D 0.50 kg/ha at 25 DAS in combination with four integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments comprising of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), 75% RDN (inorganic nitrogen)+25% RDN as farm yard manure (FYM), 50% RDN (IN) +50% RDN (FYM), 50% RDN (IN)+25% RDN (FYM)+25% RDN vermicompost (VC). Among the treatments, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 20 g/ha fb HW once at 30 DAS proved the most effective in managing the weeds throughout critical crop growth period. Application of 100 % RDN gave significantly higher crop grain and straw yields. Economic analysis indicated that HW twice at 25 and 45 DAS had significantly the highest gross, net returns, B:C ratio, production and economic efficiency as compared to weedy check and pyrazosulfuron 20 g/ha PE fb 2,4-D 0.50 kg/ha PoE at 25 DAS. Significantly higher gross, net returns, B:C ratio, production and economic efficiency were observed with 100% RDN.
Field experiment was conducted in the Tarai region of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India during 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effect of post-emergence herbicides on weeds, non-target soil organisms, nutrient dynamics and productivity of tea (var. TV-25) under natural weed infestations in tea a garden. The experimental treatments were comprised of: post-emergence application (PoE) of five doses of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA): 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 kg/ha; 2,4-D Sodium salt 1.0 kg/ha PoE and untreated control. A randomized complete block design replicated thrice was used. MCPA 1.50 kg/ha PoE was most effective against broad-leaved weeds, achieving higher weed control efficiency (> 85%) and producing the highest total tea green leaf yield. No phytotoxicity was observed on mature tea leaves due to any of the herbicidal treatment. Although transient reductions in rhizospheric micro-flora (total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) were detected after herbicide application, microbial communities recovered over time, indicating no persistent adverse effects due to herbicides tested. Maximum nutrients uptake and soil available nutrients were recorded with higher dose of MCPA. MCPA at 1.5 kg/ha was observed as the best substitute for others post-emergent herbicide to manage broad-leaved weeds in tea garden.
A field experiment was conducted in the Kharif season of 2024 at Kota, Rajasthan with an objective to evaluate suitable land configuration and herbicidal weed management practices to effectively and economically manage weeds and achieve higher grain yield and net returns in early maturing pigeonpea cultivation. Among the land configurations, the raised bed land configuration with straw mulch was highly effective in suppressing weed emergence, reducing weed biomass, improving weed control efficiency (54%) and attaining higher pigeonpea growth and yield. The raised bed with straw mulch recorded the higher number of pods/plant, seeds per pod, seed yield and stover yield when compared to flatbed and raised bed methods. Among the herbicidal treatments, the post-emergence application (PoE) of propaquizafop-ethyl 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% ME (propaquizafop-ethyl + imazethapyr) (ready-mix) 125 g/ha at 20 days after seeding (DAS) recorded lowest weed density, weed biomass, nutrient (NPK) depletion by weeds and higher pigeonpea seed yield due to effective weed management than control and pendimethalin + imazethapyr. The next best treatment was pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 30% EC + imazethapyr 2% EC (pendimethalin + imazethapyr) (ready-mix) 800 g/ha. The integration of raised bed with straw mulch and propaquizafop-ethyl + imazethapyr (ready-mix) 125 g/ha PoE at 20 DAS significantly reduced weed-crop competition and nutrient loss due to weeds and enhanced early maturing pigeonpea productivity.
An experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021 to test the bio-efficacy of diclosulam 84% WDG (diclosulam) for weed management in Kharif season soybean and its succeeding effect on mustard in Rabi season. The study was conducted at District Seed farm-C unit, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal. The soybean cultivar ‘Pusa 16’ (duration 110 days) was used. The pre-emergence application (PE) of diclosulam 38.7 g/ha was more effective in managing all predominant grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds than other tested herbicides, and recorded 34.81%, 77.1%, 51.9%, 19.2% and 53.79% more primary branches/plant, pods/plant, seeds/pod, test weight and seed yield than the weedy check. It was statistically at par with the hand weeding. Both physico-chemical and biological properties of post-harvest soil remained unaffected by herbicidal treatments. Diclosulam at varied dosages did not cause any adverse effect on germination, plant stand and yield of succeeding mustard. Thus, diclosulam 38.7 g/ha PE can be recommended for effective control of grasses, sedges and broadleaved weeds in soybean under soybean-mustard cropping system.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sequential herbicide applications in combination with mechanical and manual weeding in wet-seeded rice (WSR) seeded by drum seeder during the Navarai season (January - April, 2025) at SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Tamil Nadu, India. A Randomized Block Design replicated three times was used. The sequentially applied pre-emergence application (PE) of bensulfuron-methyl + pretilachlor 660 g/ha followed by (fb) post- emergence application (PoE) of florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl 150 g/ha recorded the lowest weed density and biomass at all the recorded dates of 20, 40, 60 days after seeding (DAS) with highest weed control efficiency (82.4%), grain yield and straw yield of WSR seeded by drum seeder.
Eco friendly weed management is crucial in sustaining soil health and crop productivity in coconut plantations. A study on the effect of organic practices on weed dynamics and soil health was undertaken in a 20-year-old coconut plantation with a spacing of 7.5 m × 7.5 m. The organic weed management practices tested included: live mulching with dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) or horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in the interspaces of coconut trees, intercropping with turmeric (Curcuma longa), mulching interspaces of coconut trees using phyto-pharmaceutical waste (byproduct of the ayurveda industry) 20 t/ha, ploughing the interspaces of coconut trees (twice per year). Unploughed interspaces of coconut trees without weeding operations served as check. Weed density and biomass were monitored. Soil samples were periodically analysed for nutrient status and microbial population changes. Grasses were the dominant weeds, followed by broad-leaved weeds. Live mulching and mulching with phyto-pharmaceutical waste resulted in more than 90 % weed control. Mulching with phyto-pharmaceutical waste was free of weeds even after one year of application. Enhanced microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity, as well as acid phosphatase activity, were observed in plots where intercropping practices or organic waste mulching was practiced. Organic weed management practices not only provided effective weed management but also enhanced soil fertility and microbial activity, making them ideal option for eco-friendly weed management in coconut plantations.
A field experiment was carried out at Instructional-cum-Research Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during summer 2023 to study the effects of weed management treatments on growth, yield and economics of baby corn. Ten weed management treatments were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Different weed management treatments significantly influenced the weed density and biomass, growth, yield attributes and yield of baby corn. Application of paddy straw mulching 4 t/ha at 1day after seeding (DAS) followed by (fb) earthing-up and weeding at 25 DAS recorded the highest baby corn weight without husk (13.74 g) and cob yield without husk (1.91 t/ha) and green fodder yield (29.32 t/ha). Pre-emergence application (PE) of metribuzin 1.0 kg/ha fb hand weeding at 25 DAS recorded the next best cob yield without husk (1.86 t/ha) and green fodder yield (28.72 t/ha) with the highest net return of ? 1,64,000/ha and B-C ratio of 3.32 due to low cultivation cost compared to the paddy straw mulching 4 t/ha 1 DAS fb earthing-up and weeding at 25 DAS.
A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur Andhra Pradesh India during Rabi 2023-24, to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides and their combinations and identify the suitable effective and economical pre-and post-emergence herbicides options in Rabi greengram, to manage mixed weed flora including certain weeds such as Chrozophora rottleri, Cardiospermum helicacabum and Phyllanthus maderaspatensis. which are not controlled by recommended herbicides. Significantly lower weed density and biomass with higher weed control efficiency (WCE), greengram yield components, seed yield and benefit-cost ratio were obtained with post-emergence (PoE) application of fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl 222 g/ha and sodium-acifluorfen + clodinafop- propargyl 185 g/ha PoE. These treatments were effective in controlling mixed weed flora including broad-leaved weeds that were not controlled by imazethapyr.
Weeds remain one of the most pervasive biotic constraints to crop productivity in India, causing substantial yield and economic losses across diverse cropping systems. This study aimed to estimate the potential contribution of integrated weed management (IWM) interventions to the production of major field crops in India and the possible economic gains resulting from these interventions. Weed management was estimated to be implemented in over 125.33 million hectares, representing about 67% of the total cropped area under major cereals, pulses, oilseeds and commercial crops (187.06 million hectares). Adoption of IWM interventions was estimated to result in an additional 96.62 million tonnes of crop production annually with an estimated economic returns of ? 1.89 trillion. The largest share of gains was estimated to be by cereals due to their extensive area coverage, with a contribution of 45.78 million tonnes of additional output which is over half of the total economic benefits. Commercial crops, particularly sugarcane and potato, generated disproportionately high production gains despite relatively less cultivated acreage, reflecting their high per-unit productivity and responsiveness to IWM. Oilseeds and pulses were estimated to have moderate absolute gains, constrained mainly due to lower adoption of IWM. Overall, the findings of this estimate demonstrate that scaling of timely IWM can substantially narrow yield gaps improve farm profitability, underscoring its central role in sustainable agricultural intensification.
Weed’s geographical and temporal expansion severely affects the global biodiversity, agricultural ecosystems and economy of the country like India. Therefore, in order to help and better prioritize the management tactics, MaxEnt model was used to predict the current and future distribution of Echinochloa colona and Cyperus rotundus, two economically important weeds of agricultural ecosystems. With the help of 552 and 343 occurrence points of E. colona and C. rotundus, respectively, along with 8 bioclimatic parameters, elevation, and soil layers; modelling was performed and predictions were made for probable hotspots of the species in future changing climate scenario. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to test the model’s accuracy, and Jackknife test was used to observe the variable importance for both the species. The model predicts that under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 for both 2050 and 2070, climatic conditions were generally highly suitable for E. colona, except for certain areas in southern, western, and northern India. Whereas, under RCP 8.5 for the same years, a notable reduction in suitable areas is predicted for the species, particularly in Central India. On the other hand, C. rotundus is projected to contract the suitable areas in future climates under both the scenarios depicting the reduced suitability under future climate. Findings of this study would contribute to a better understanding of the nature of the niche shift of both the species and the potential for invasion under future climate scenarios. This will help in understanding the impact of the species and in making informed decisions on matters related to biodiversity, public health, agriculture, and the economy.
A field experiment was conducted for two-years to study the effect of simulated rainfall on the efficacy of pre-emergence application (PE) of pyroxasulfone in the presence of varying amount of retained rice residues in wheat sown with Super seeder. The study was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India using factorial RCBD with treatments including: two levels of rice residue loads (0 and 7 t/ha), two doses of pyroxasulfone (127.5 and 191.25 g/ha) PE and three simulated rainfall timings (2, 5 and 10 days after sowing); and two standard controls: unsprayed and pyroxasulfone 127.5 g/ha. Incorporation of rice residue 7 t/ha recorded higher wheat dry matter accumulation and grain yield (3.8 and 3.7%) over residue removal during both the years. Pyroxasulfone 191.25 g/ha PE recorded significantly lower density and biomass of Phalaris minor compared to pyroxasulfone 127.5 g/ha PE. The tested simulated rainfall timings did not significantly affect the weed density, weed biomass and wheat grain yield and did not cause any phyto-toxicity due to pyroxasulfone.
A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu during Kharif 2020 to evaluate the influence of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on weeds and yield of direct- seeded rice. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments evaluated in the study include: pre-emergence application of (PE) pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 20 g/ha PE, pretilachlor 600 g/ha PE, pretilachlor + pyrazosulfuron ethyl 615 PE g/ha, post- emergence application (PoE) of bispyribac-sodium 25 g/ha PoE at 25 DAS, penoxsulam + cyhalofop-butyl 135 g/ha PoE at 25 DAS, triafamone + ethoxysulfuron 66.5 g/ha PoE at 25 DAS along with un-weeded control. Major weeds observed were: Echinochloa spp., Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cynodon dactylon, Caesulia axillaris, Cyperus spp. and Phyllanthus niruri. Pretilachlor + pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 615 g/ha PE recorded significantly lower weed density and dry biomass at harvest with maximum weed control efficiency (87.10 %), higher grain yield, net returns and benefit: cost ratio (1.99). Amongst, post-emergent herbicides, triafamone + ethoxysulfuron 66.5 g/ha PoE at 25 DAS recorded minimum weed density, weed biomass with highest weed control efficiency (82.61%) at harvest, higher rice grain yield, net returns and benefit cost ratio (2.02).
Itchgrass [Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton] is a highly invasive annual grass, ranked among the world’s most troublesome weeds. In Karnataka, and in many other states of India, it poses a serious threat to maize and other crops across major maize-growing regions. As most herbicides have shown limited efficacy against this weed, a field study was conducted with an objective to study the effect of isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone-methyl for the management of R. cochinchinensis in maize. It was conducted during Kharif 2023 and 2024 at a farmer’s field in Pura village, Manchenahalli hobli, Gauribidanur taluk, Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka. The evaluated weed management options include: the pre- emergence application (PE) and early post-emergence application (EPoE) of isoxaflutole 225 g/L + thiencarbazone-methyl 90 g/L SC (isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone-methyl) (ready- mix) 73.12+29.25 and 90+36 g/ha, atrazine 50% WP (atrazine) 1000 g/ha PE, and topramezone 336 g/L w/v SC (topramezone) 33.6 g/ha + adjuvant 2 ml/L of water EPoE, hand weeded thrice at 20, 40, and 60 days after seeding (DAS) (weed-free) and an untreated control. The isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone- methyl provided superior control of R. cochinchinensis and most associated weed species, except Cyperus rotundus. Isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone-methyl (ready- mix) at both 73.12+29.25 and 90+36 g/ha PE and EPoE, consistently achieved the highest weed control efficiency, maximum maize grain and straw yield, and the lowest weed index demonstrating that it has a highly effective and promising option for managing R. cochinchinensis in maize.
A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of pre- and post- emergence herbicides on weeds and pearl millet productivity at the Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat) during the summer season of 2023. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture. The inter cultivation (IC) followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) at 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS) caused maximum reduction in the weed density, dry biomass and weed index (WI), higher weed control efficiency (WCE) and pearl millet grain yield. All the tested herbicides significantly reduced the weed growth. The pre-emergence application (PE) of atrazine 750 g/ha and atrazine 500 g/ha + pendimethalin 250 g/ha (tank-mix) PE were found effective in managing weeds resulting in higher pearl millet grain yield, net returns and benefit-cost ratio.
Imperata cylindrica, a widespread invasive weed, is significantly disrupting plantations and degraded hill forests in Bangladesh through the release of allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants. To assess its allelopathic impact, an experiment was conducted using six concentrations of Imperata cylindrica leaves extract (prepared at 28–30°C) to evaluate effects on seed germination and seedling growth of four forest tree species: Syzygium fruticosum (Putijam), Albizia procera (Silkoroi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Ficus hispida (Dumur). The extracts’ lower concentrations (<20 g/L) stimulated germination in S. fruticosum and A. indica, while concentrations above 20 g/L inhibited germination of all species. Increasing concentrations negatively affected shoot growth, particularly of F. hispida, and root growth of A. indica. Among the tested species, A. procera showed the highest vigor index for both root and shoot growth at the 50 g/L concentration, indicating a higher tolerance to I. cylindrica allelopathy. In contrast, F. hispida was the most adversely affected. These findings suggest that A. indica and A. procera are more resilient to the allelopathic effects of I. cylindrica and could be promising candidates for reforestation or afforestation in areas heavily infested with Imperata cylindrica. However, greenhouse studies and field studies are needed for drawing definitive conclusions.
