Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 36, No 04 (2023)

Font Size:  Small  Medium  Large

Integrated weed management in rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under rainfed conditions

Anju H U, Nandagavi R A, Patil S B, Shirahatti M S

Abstract


Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of weed management on growth and yield of grain sorghum at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapura during rabi 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and comprised eleven treatments. These treatments included five preemergence herbicide treatments (Atrazine @1000 g a.i. ha-1, Metribuzin @ 350 and 700 g a.i. ha-1, Metolachlor @ 750 and 1500 g a.i. ha-1) followed by two intercultivation at 30 & 60 DAS, as well as four post-emergent herbicide treatments (Metribuzin @ 350 and 700 g a.i. ha-1, Mesotrione + Atrazine (RM) @ 550 and 825 g a.i. ha-1) followed by one intercultivation at 60 DAS. These nine herbicide treatments were compared to a weedy check and a weed free check. The experimental results showed that weed free condition recorded minimal weed infestation, better crop growth, higher yield and economical returns. Among the herbicidal treatments, application of Metolachlor 50EC @ 1500 g a.i. ha-1as pre-emergence followed by two intercultivations at 30 and 60 DAS recorded significantly lower weed count (1.67 m-2), weed biomass (4.67 g m-2) and higher weed control efficiency (92%) for total weeds at 60 DAS, with a reduced weed index of 7.21%. Additionally, this treatment led to significantly higher grain yield (1389 kg ha-1), stover yield (3031 kg ha-1), gross returns (`73,759 ha-1), net returns (`40,968 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.25). In contrast, the weedy check treatment resulted in lower grain yield, net returns, and benefit cost ratio. 

Full Text: PDF