Effect of integrated weed management practices on weed parameters and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated weed management practices on weed parameters and yield of onion at college farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during rabi 2021. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and laid out in randomised block design (RBD) with 3 replications. Results revealed that crop yield and weed parameters viz., weed density, weed dry matter, weed control efficiency and weed index were significantly influenced by weed management practices. Significantly lower weed infestation was recorded with mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAT and it was at par with pendimethalin 38.7% CS 677.25 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch and oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC 100 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch. Similarly, higher yield was recorded with mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAT (183.2 q ha-1) and it was on par with pendimethalin 38.7% CS 677.25 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch (176.3 q ha-1) and oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC 100 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch T2 (173.2 q ha-1). Hence it can be concluded that mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAT or pendimethalin 38.7% CS 677.25 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch or oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC 100 g ha-1 PE + polyfilm mulch may be adopted to control weeds effectively and to get optimum yield.