Optimization of yield attributes, yield and economic outcomes of sesame through strategic weed management practices

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati on sandy loam soils during the rabi season of 2024-25. The trial was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised of ten weed management practices. Among the different weed management strategies evaluated, hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) which was statistically at par with the pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 125 g ha⁻¹ fb post-emergence application of quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 50 g ha⁻¹ at 20 DAS recorded higher number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield. In terms of economics, higher gross returns were recorded with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) and the pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 125 g ha⁻¹ fb post-emergence application of quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 50 g ha⁻¹ at 20 DAS where, both were statistically at par with with each other. However, signigicantly higher net returns and benefit-cost ratio were obtained with the pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 125 g ha⁻¹ fb post-emergence application of quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 50 g ha⁻¹ at 20 DAS. By contrast, lowest yield attributes, gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio and highest yield loss was recorded in the weedy check.