Climbing weed management in sugarcane

Abstract

In Agriculture sector, sugarcane share is about 7% and occupied 2.6% of India’s gross cropped area with functioning of 527 sugar factories. India occupies an important place among the sugarcane producing country and has a neck to neck race with Brazil. The most critical period for the weed competition in sugarcane is up to 4-5 months after which crop growth is better which suppress the weed growth. Weed removes 4 times of N and P and 2.5times of K in sugarcane. After earthing up, just before it enters its grand growth period, a healthy crop smother any new weed seedling but Ipomoea spp., Convolvulus arvensis and the other trailing weed species, may however still survive by climbing the cane plants and grow luxuriantly. These trailing weeds are severe in ratoon and disturb the harvesting. Climbing weed cause a severe problem interfering on the growth and harvest of the sugarcane. Hence, to manage these weeds in ratoon; the management includes the reduction of weed seed bank of climbers post - emergence herbicides (metribuzin 1.5 kg/ha +2,4-D 0.2% and 2,4-D 0.2% alone) was chosen. Sugarcane crop which was heavily infested with climbing weed (Ipomoea) in a ratoon field was chosen at Sugarcane Research Station, Cuddalore. Metribuzin 1.5 kg/ha +2,4-D amine (Tank mix combination) and 2,4-D amine alone was sprayed on 26.6.2024 separately to assess the efficiency. Drying was started on 3 DAS (Das after spray) and complete control was observed in 6 DAS(Days after spraying). Both the herbicides have controlled the climbing weed effectively however, the drying was quick and complete in tank mix combination of metribuzin +2,4-D amine.