Hand Weeding Research Articles

Determining Critical Weed Competition at Different Weed Free Periods in Linseed in Holeta District Central Ethiopia

A substantial proportion of linseed yield is lost due to weeds in the Holeta area of Central Ethiopia. The weeds infest the crop fields during the early growth stage and consume growth resources. To protect the crops from weeds, farmers manage their fields using cultural practices. However, there is a knowledge gap between farmers on critical weed removal time for the management of the weeds from the crop. Therefore, it is assumed that determining the weed-free period after the sowing of linseed to control the weeds is necessary. The experiment was designed to determine the suitable weed-free period for the control of weeds and increasing linseed production. The trial was treated with different weed-free periods before 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days of sowing; and after 20, 30, 40, 40, and 60 days of sowing, twice hand weeding, weed-free, and control. The treatments were organized in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. It was found that Galinsogapulviflora was the most dominant weed, contributing to 18% of the total weeds present in the fields. Plots treated with weed-free after 20 days of sowing produced superior results in terms of reduction of weed dry weight by 100%, increased number of bolls per plant by 3.08 folds, stand count by 245%, and grain yield by 11 folds as compared to untreated check respectively. Hence, making weed free of linseed after 20 days of sowing is recommended for the management of various weeds in linseed.

Traditional home garden agro‐biodiversity dynamics, agro‐ecosystem services, and management practices in smallholder farmers setting, South‐Central Ethiopia

AbstractTraditional home gardens are rich in agro‐biodiversity and are crucial for improving and diversifying the livelihood of smallholder farmers. Though many researches are carried out on home gardens in tropical regions, there are only few studies on the dynamics of traditional home gardens, agro‐ecosystem services, indigenous management practices, and roles in mitigating climate shocks, which is the objective of the present study. For the same purpose, three sites were purposively selected out of which 308 sample smallholder households were chosen using a simple random sampling technique for a household survey. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were also used to collect data for cross‐checking the data collected through the house hold survey. Results demonstrate that there was a wide‐ranging diversity of crops in traditional home garden landscape. Both annual and perennial crops were incorporated into the home gardens to enhance their multiple agro‐ ecosystem services, including enhancing resilience to climate shocks. They ranged from herbaceous to large trees and food to cash crops. The primary agro‐ecosystem services that the home garden agro‐biodiversity delivered were diversifying the sources of food, income, and medicine, as well as improving food security. Home gardens were largely managed by indigenous knowledge, including hand weeding, manure and compost application, nursery preparation, fencing, and flood run‐off control. The agro‐biodiversity in traditional home gardens is more diverse, dynamic, and resilient to climate shocks. Nonetheless, they are neglected hotspots of agro‐biodiversity and sociocultural diversity. In conclusion, the agro‐biodiversity in traditional home gardens promotes food availability, accessibility, and utilization virtually all year round as well as contributes to the preservation of agricultural genetic and cultural diversity.

Effect of the Integrated Weed Control Practices on Sugar Beet Yield, Quality and Associated Weeds

Two-years field trial (2017/18 and 2018/19) was conducted at the Experimental Farm, National Research Centre El-Behaira Governorate, Egypt to compare different herbicidal combinations with different doses on sugar beet yield traits and associated weeds. Sixteen weed control treatment combinations were applied to test their efficiency on sugar beet yield and quality. To form these combinations two broadleaves herbicides (Tigro and Betasana-Trio) were combined with a narrow weed herbicide (Select super) or with the hand weeding treatment. The results showed that Betasana-Trio combination at the lower dose of application 0.675 l fed-1(fed-1 = feddan = 4200 m2) combined with Select Super at 0.375 l fed-1 with or without hand weeding as well as Betasana-Trio at 0.9 l fed-1 combined with hand weeding or Select Super at 0.5 l fed-1 caused high eradication percentages of the total fresh and dry weight of weeds as well as total number of weeds m-2 (>90%). The highest sugar beet yield resulted from the combination of Betasana-Trio 0.675 l fed-1 + Select Super 0.375 l fed-1, which gave the greatest sugar yield fed-1. Although the combination Betasana-Trio at 0.9 l fed-1 + Select Super at 0.5 l fed-1 gave the greatest gross sugar %, it could not achieve the highest sugar yield fed-1.

Quantitative Variables Analysis, Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Different Weed Management Practices

Background: The Groundnut or Goober peas (Arachis hypogaea L.) hold a prominent position as one of India’s most crucial food and cash crops. One of the serious bottlenecks that limit the productivity of groundnut is the weed menace. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Puducherry during 2021 to 2023 to investigate the effects of integrated weed management practices on groundnut cultivation. The experimental setup followed a randomized block design with nine treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments comprised a range of weed management practices, including the pre-emergence herbicide pendimethalin and post-emergence herbicides like imazethapyr and quizalofop-ethyl. These herbicides were administered either individually or in conjunction with hand weeding once. In addition, hand weedings twice at 20 and 40 DAS were tested with unweeded check. Result: The experiment results of the two years study revealed that the application of Pendimethalin 30% EC + Imazethapyr 2% EC with quizalofop - p- ethyl at 15-20 DAS has gave the maximum plant height (74.7 cm), dry matter production (57.9 g /plant), higher pod yield (3922 kg/ha), haulm yield (5919 kg/ha), highest net return (Rs. 91763 ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.75). The strong positive correlations are plant height (0.96 and 0.97), shelling % (0.98 and 0.99), no. of pods plant-1 (0.98 and 0.99), dry matter production (0.98 and 0.99) and weed control efficiency (0.85 and 0.88). These variables had a positive impact on groundnut yield.

Post-Emergence Chemical Weed Control in Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

Direct seeded rice (DSR) seems to be a viable option under erratic rainfall and water scarcity. Despite several advantages of DSR, weeds are the major biological constraint. Afield experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during the kharif season ((July- November) of 2020 and 2021, comprisingnine weed control methods viz. T1- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 1000 ml ha-1at 15 DAS, T2 - Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 1250 ml ha-1at 15 DAS ,T3- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 2000 ml ha-1at 15 DAS, T4- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 750 fb 750 ml ha-1at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, T5- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 1000 fb 1000 ml ha-1at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, T6- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 1250 fb 1250 ml ha-1at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, and T7- Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 2000 fb 2000 ml ha-1at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, T8- weed free check (2 times hand weeding at 20 DAS and 40 DAS) and T9- un-treated control (weedy check) along with 3 replicationslaid out in RBD design in herbicide tolerant rice variety Sava 134 was conducted during two consecutive kharif season of 2020 and 2021 at Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur, B.C.K.V., Nadia under new alluvial zone of West Bengal. The experimental results revealed that maximum grain and straw (4.20 and 4.36 t per ha), as well as net return (Rs. 44546per ha) were recorded in double hand weeding (T8), which was at par with Imazethapyr treated plots like T5, T6 and T7. Thus the tedious, time-consuming, and costly hand-weeding can be profitably replaced by the application of Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 1000 fb 1000 ml per ha at 15 and 30 DAS. This weed control methodhas satisfactory performance in DSR exhibiting higher weed control efficiency and no phytotoxicity symptoms to the herbicide tolerant rice crop and increased both grain and straw yields vis-à-vis benefit : cost ratio.

Organic farming practices increase weed density and diversity over conventional practices: A meta-analysis

Population growth and climate change challenge our food and farming systems and provide arguments for an increased intensification of agriculture. Organic farming has been seen as a promising option due to its eco-friendly approaches during production. However, weeds are regarded as the major hindrance to effective crop production which varies depending on the type of crop and spacing. Their presence leads to reduced yield, increase in harvest cost and lower the qualities of some produce. Thus, weed management is a key priority for successful crop production. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis from published studies to quantify possible differences on weed density, diversity and evenness in organic and conventional farming systems and best intervention for weed management in organic farming system. Data included were obtained from 32 studies where 31 studies with 410 observations were obtained for weed density, 15 studies with 168 observations for diversity, and 5 studies with 104 observations for evenness. Standard deviation of mean was obtained from the studies, log transformed using natural logarithms and the effect size pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD). Publication bias was determined through funnel plot. Results showed that organic farming has significant higher weed density (P < 0.01), diversity (P = 0.01), and evenness (P < 0.05) compared to conventional farming. Despite so, diversified crop rotation has been proved to reduce weed density in organic farming by up to 49 % while maize-bean intercropping decrease densities of Amaranthus ssp, Cyperus ssp and Cammelina ssp compared with monocropping. Use of mulch after one hand weeding was found to control up to 98 % of weeds and use of cover crop between 24 % and 85 % depending on the type of the cover crop. The study results show that organic farming encourages high weed density, diversity and evenness but use of the integrated approaches can help to maintain weed density at a manageable level.

Non-chemical weed management: Harnessing flame weeding for effective weed control

The goal of the current study was to create and assess the effectiveness of a hand-pulled ergonomically designed flame weeder. The developed weeder was tested in the field at three operating pressures (20, 30 and 40 Psi) and forward speeds (1.00, 1.25 and 1.50 km/h) to study their effects on plant damage, survival rates, weight preservation rates, weed management effectiveness, soil temperatures, and gas and energy consumption. Thereafter, at optimized values of forward speed and operating pressure, a comparative assessment of flame weeding with traditional methods (mechanical and manual weeding) was done in terms of weed control effectiveness, operational time, energy consumption, and cost of operation. Results showed that the optimal performance of the designed flame weeder was achieved when operated at a speed of 1 km/h and an operating pressure of 40 psi. The survival rate, weight preservation rate, weed control efficiency, change in soil temperature, recovery rate, plant damage, gas consumption, and energy consumption were observed to be 27.3 %, 32.5 %, 91.1 %, 40.74 °C, 8.5 %, 2.2 %, 4.05 kg/h, and 2500.24 MJ/ha, respectively, at optimized values of forward speed (1.00 km/h) and operating pressure (40 Psi). The actual field capacity, field efficiency and operating cost of the flame weeder were 0.0755 ha/h, 94.94 %, and 3620.81 ₹/ha, respectively. Hand weeding had the best level of weed control effectiveness, but it was a laborious, time-consuming process. When compared to manual weeding, flame weeding was 50.42 % cheaper and 94.82 % faster.

Phytotoxicity and Residual Effect of Some Herbicides on three Egyptian Rice Cultivars (Oryza sativa L.)

The current study was carried out at the experimental farm of Rice Research Department, Sakha Agricultural Research Station and Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, ARC, Egypt during the summer season of 2021 and 2022 to study the sensitivity of three Egyptian rice cultivars against four common herbicides and its effect on physiological and agronomic characteristics of rice as well as herbicide residues in rice seeds. The field study was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Three rice cultivars (Giza 177, Giza 179 and Sakha 108) were randomly distributed in main plots, while weed control treatments included four herbicides at recommended doses (penoxsulam 2.5% OD, bispyribac-sodium 2% SL, cyhalofop-butyl 10% EC and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 7.5% EW) as compared to hand weeding were devoted in sub plots. The obtained results revealed that Sakha 108 as Japonica rice cultivar was resistant against tested herbicides and recorded the highest values of rice dry weight, chlorophyll content, number of panicles m-2, panicle weight and grain yield, while scored the lowest values of total phenols. On the other hand, Giza 177 as short duration Japonica rice cultivar showed the higher sensitivity against tested herbicides and achieved the lowest values of abovementioned agronomic traits and chlorophyll content. Cyhalofop-butyl as ACCase herbicide was safer on studied rice cultivars and recorded the highest values of studied agronomic characteristics for rice as well as chlorophyll content, while recorded the lowest values of total phenols during the study. On the other hand, bispyribac-sodium 2% SL resulted in more toxic effect for rice cultivars and recorded the lowest values of studied agronomic traits for rice. fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 7.5% EW achieved the lowest chlorophyll content and highest values of total phenols during the study. Giza 179 as Indica-Japonica rice cultivar appeared high sensitivity when sprayed with bispyribac-sodium and fenoxaprop-ethyl but made recovery after 12 days from herbicidal application and recorded the highest chlorophyll content, dry weight, panicles m-2 and grain yield with no significant differences between Sakha 108 rice cultivar during the study. In respect of herbicide residues in rice seeds, all tested herbicides didn’t have residues in rice seeds at 100 days after treatment. It means that tested herbicides didn’t have any residues in rice seeds.

Influence of transplanting date and integrated weed management in system of rice intensification of aromatic black rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons (kharif) of 2019 and 2020 at the research farm of School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Nagaland to study the effect of transplanting date and weed management practices on productivity and profitability of aromatic black rice (Oryza sativa L.) under system of rice intensification. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design (SPD) with 3 transplanting dates (D1, 15th June; D2, 30th June; and D3, 15th July) in main plot and 5 weed managements practices [W1, Weedy check; W2, Conoweeding at 20 and 40 DAT (days after transplanting); W3, Pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb hand weeding (HW) at 40 DAT; W4, Pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb conoweeder at 40 DAT; and W5, Pretilachlor at 0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb bispyribac-sodium @ 25 g/ha (PoE)] in sub-plot, replicated thrice. Results showed that the most abundant weed flora observed in the experimental field were Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth, Cyperus esculentus (L.), Cyperus iria (L.), Rhynchospora colorata (L.) H.Pfeiff., Ludwigia linifolia Poir, Mimosa pudica (L.), Mimosa diplotricha Sauvalle, Scoparia dulcis (L.) and Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth. Transplanting on 15th June recorded highest growth and yield of black rice. The improvement in the grain yield was about 39% under 15th June over 15th July transplanting date. Among weed management practices, pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha at 3 DAT fb HW at 40 DAT recorded minimum density of weeds resulting in higher growth attributes and yield of black rice. Economic analysis showed that highest benefit cost (B:C) ratio was obtained when black rice was transplanted on 15th June along with application of pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha at 3 DAT fb bispyribac-sodium @25 g/ha at 20 DAT and demonstrated to be the best treatment for profitable production of black rice under system of rice intensification.

Preemergence Herbicides and Mulches for Cutting Propagation—Impact on Rooting, Growth after Transplant, and Weed Control

Weed control in cutting propagation is limited to manual hand weeding, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Preemergence herbicides and mulches may be viable weed control methods for cutting propagation, but crop safety and weed control efficacy must be better understood. Four preemergence herbicides (indaziflam, isoxaben, isoxaben + dithiopyr, and oxyfluorfen + oxadiazon) and two mulches (pine pellets and rice hulls) were assessed in cutting propagation for their impact on rooting and subsequent liner growth (butterfly bush [Buddleja davidii Franch.] and crape myrtle [Lagerstroemia indica L.]) and control of four common weed species. Butterfly bush cuttings had lower rooting percentage and root dry weight with isoxaben and isoxaben + dithiopyr, but no damage was observed for all other treatments during propagation or after transplant. Crape myrtle cutting root development and liner growth were statistically similar for all treatments compared to the non-treated control. Isoxaben, isoxaben + dithiopyr, oxyfluorfen + oxadiazon, and pine pellets provided excellent control (87 to 100%) of all four weed species tested. Overall, several preemergence herbicides and mulches were safe for use in cutting propagation and effective weed control varied by product and weed species.

Performance of Various Weed Management Approaches on Weed Dynamics, Yield Attributes and Yield of Puddled Rice under Different Planting Techniques

Background: Rice is a major food source worldwide and direct seeding can shorten crop duration and reduce labour. The system of rice intensification (SRI) can boost yields with fewer inputs. Weed management is crucial for high yields, but chemical herbicides may not be necessary with SRI. A study evaluated herbicide performance based on rice establishment methods. Methods: An field experiment was conducted in January to May, 2021 (Navarai) to find out the efficient weed control techniques in puddled rice. The experiment has been carried out in split-plot design, which included two planting techniques viz., drum seeded rice and system of rice intensification (SRI) in main plot, as well as eight weed control techniques viz., hand weeding, cono weeding, pretilachlor, bispyribac sodium and fenoxaprop - p - ethyl as pre and post emergence application in sub plot. Result: The results of the experiment demonstrated that among the planting techniques and weed management practices tested, the system of rice intensification and sequential application of pretilachlor @ 0.5 kg a.i ha-1 fb bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i ha-1 has revealed lowest weed density and highest weed control efficiency, yield attributes and yield and energetics.

Effect of Various Weed Management Options on Weed Dry Matter, Yield Attributes and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) under Organic Production System

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional cum Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) during kharif 2019 entitled “Effect of various weed management options on weed dry matter, yield attributes and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) under organic production system”. The soil of the experimental site was clayey in texture, neutral in reaction and low in nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and high in potassium. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The weed flora of the experimental site was dominated by Echinocloa colona, Alternanthera sessilis, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cyperus iria. Results revealed that the highest green cob yield of sweet corn was recorded in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + 20 DAS hand weeding (7.63t ha-1 ) which was 83.48% higher than the weedy check. The green cob yield in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + 20 DAS hand weeding was found to be at par with mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK-practices) (7.45t ha- ), hand weeding twice carried out at 20 and 40 DAS (7.33 t ha-1) and soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding at 20 DAS(6.94t ha-1). Although grain yield in other weed management practices was significantly lower than stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + 20 DAS hand weeding treatments but higher than weedy check. Similarly, As regards total weed dry weight at harvest, the total lowest weed dry weight was observed in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + hand weeding at 20 DAS(3.45gm-2) followed by mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices)(4.71 gm-2), hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (4.96gm-2)and soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding at 20 DAS(5.08 gm-2). However, higher WCE was noticed in these treatment over weedy check. The weedy check was significantly inferior in all the yield attributes and green cob yield of sweet corn.

Weed and nitrogen management effects on weed flora and productivity of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) in North-Eastern region of India

A field study was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2017 at Barapani, Meghalaya, to find out the effects of weed and nitrogen management on weed flora and yield of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) in North-Eastern region of India. The experiment was taken in split-plot design with 3 replications. In the main plot, 4 weed management practices, viz. unweeded control; oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha followed by (fb) bispyribac-Na 0.02 kg/ha; oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb hand weeding (HW) at 40 days after transplanting (DAT), and 2 HW at 20 and 40 DAT was taken, while 4 N levels, viz. 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha were taken in sub-plots. At 60 DAT, total weed population and weed density were remained at par in HW at 20 and 40 DAT, oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb HW at 40 DAT and oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb bispyribac-Na 0.02 kg/ha. The grain yield also followed the same trend and remained at par in HW at 20 and 40 DAT, oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb HW at 40 DAT and oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb bispyribac-Na 0.02 kg/ha. However, in terms of net returns, application of oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb bispyribac-Na 0.02 kg/ha recorded the highest followed by oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb HW at 40 DAT. Application of N at higher level reduced the total weed population at 60 DAT and a reverse trend was found with weed dry weight. Application of 90 kg N/ha recorded higher grain yield, net returns and benefit: cost ratio. It may be concluded that oxadiargyl 0.08 kg/ha fb bispyribac-Na 0.02 kg/ha with 90 kg N/ha could be an alternative for HW to enhance the productivity in transplanted rice for North-Eastern region of India.

Effect of weed management practices on weeds, nutrient depletion and yield of rice (Oryza sativa)

Field experiments were conducted during Navarai (rabi) seasons of 2011 and 2012 with ADT-36 rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety to evaluate the effect of weed management practices. Pooled data of the two years revealed that application of butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i/ha followed by weekly cono-weeding from 21 to 42 days after transplanting (DAT) resulted in least weed count, dry-matter production and nutrient removal which resulted in the highest weed control efficiency, productive tillers/hill, grains/panicle, number of filled grains/panicle and enhanced the grain yield, which was 0.73 and 0.46 t/ha more compared to twice hand weeding and conventional method of butachlor application followed by hand weeding.

Brown manuring in maize (Zea mays): Effects on weed interference and crop productivity

A field experiment was undertaken during rainy (kharif) season 2017 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effects of brown manuring on weeds and maize (Zea mays L.) productivity. Season-long weed infestation (~unweeded control) resulted in the highest reduction (~41%) in grain yield of maize. Among the brown manuring (BM) treatments, growing of 1:1 mixture of Sesbania bispinosa (12.5 kg seed/ha) + Crotalaria juncea L. (12.5 kg seed/ha) supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha applied at 35 DAS, resulted in the highest reduction in weed density (~93%) and dry matter (~94.4%). This BM, in these regards, was comparable with the atrazine + hand weeding (HW) at 35 days after sowing (DAS) and weed-free control treatments. All BM treatments suppressed noxious weed Cyperus rotundus, which was poorly or not controlled by the recommended tank-mixture of atrazine and pendimethalin. Weed-free control resulted in the highest values of maize plant dry-matter (~210.6 g/plant), cob weight (~155.9 g/cob), and grain yield (~6.0 t/ha). The atrazine + HW, Sesbania + Crotalaria (12.5 + 12.5 kg/ha) mixture applied with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha at 25 DAS, Sesbania 25 kg/ha with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha at 25 DAS, and pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha + atrazine 0.75 kg/ha treatments were comparable with weed-free control on maize grain yield.

Influence of strip-tillage and winter cover crops on weeds and yield in organic pepper

Increasing vegetation diversity within crop fields through cover cropping has been advocated as an additional tool for managing weeds. As such, field experiments were conducted over two field seasons to compare the influence of four cover cropping/tillage tactics on weeds, time spent manually removing weeds and marketable yields in organic bell peppers (Capsicum annuum). The four treatments included: (1) conventional till (CT), (2) no-till (NT), (3) strip till after roller-crimping (ST-RC), and (4) strip till with a living mulch between crop rows (ST-LM). Impacts of cover crop on the number of weeds encountered during the study differed according to how cover crops were managed, row region (intra- and inter-row) and weed characteristic (life cycle, type) and was not always consistent. The ST-LM treatment generally had the least amount of weed establishment and ground coverage in the inter-row crop area. The CT treatment contained more weeds than all treatments in intra- and inter-row areas in year 1. Perennial weeds were generally found in greatest biomass in the inter-row area of the NT treatment. Weeding times varied among years and were similar among treatments in season 1. However, in year 2, less time was required for hand weeding in CT than NT and ST-RC. The CT treatment contained the highest marketable fruit yield during year 1. However, in year 2 fruit yields were similar among treatments. Red clover can be used as a living mulch to effectively reduce weed pressure in vegetable crops, however competition between the clover and cash crop must be minimized, and additional intra-row weed management may be necessary.

Enhancing Summer Soybean Yield through Evaluation of Herbicidal Weed Management Options

The farmers of Gujarat have turned to soybean cultivation as soybean demand is increasing promisingly. Improper weed management is one of the reasons for the large yield gap between the potential and the actual yield of soybean harvested by the farmers. So, the selection of different herbicides in soybean is necessary for effective management of complex weed flora. An experiment was plotted with an aim of enhancing summer soybean yield through evaluation of herbicidal weed management options on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during summer season of 2021. The experiment comprised 12 treatments that were arranged in randomized block design with 3 replications. The outcomes of the results revealed that following to weed-free treatment, pre-mix pendimethalin + imazethapyr 750+50 g/ha as pre-emergence (PE) fb hand-weeding (HW) &amp; inter-culturing (IC) at 30 days after sowing (DAS), HW at 15 DAS fb pre-mix propaquizafop + imazethapyr 50+75 g/ha as post-emergence (PoE) at 30 DAS, HW at 15 DAS fb pre-mix fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen 125+125 g/ha (PoE) at 30 DAS and pre-mix pendimethalin + imazethapyr 750+50 g/ha (PE) fb pre-mix fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen 125+125 g/ha (PoE) at 30 DAS enhanced growth parameters viz., plant height, branches per plant; yield attributes i.e., number of pods per plant and ultimately lead to greater seed yield and stover yield. These herbicidal weed management options also reduced population in addition to dry matter of weeds and had less reduction in yield due to better control of weeds, less crop-weed competition and higher weed control efficiency.

Bio-efficacy of Herbicides on Weed Density, Weed Control Efficiency, Productivity and Groundnut Quality in Coastal Zone of Karnataka under Rice-Groundnut System

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kumta, Uttara Kannada district during the rabi-summer season of 2016-17 to investigate the Bio-efficacy of herbicides on weed density, weed control efficiency, productivity and groundnut quality in coastal zone of Karnataka under rice-groundnut system. The experiment followed a RBD with nine treatments out of which six treatments involved the pre-emergence application of herbicides followed by either hand weeding or early post-emergence application, along with control treatments. The results indicated that the pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30% E.C. (1.5 kg ha-1), followed by one hand weeding at 25 days after sowing (DAS), resulted in significantly reduced total weed density and weed dry matter. This treatment also demonstrated higher weed control efficiency and lower weed index. Moreover, it led to increased pod yield, kernel yield and improved quality of groundnut compared to other treatments.

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Sowing and Weed Control Methods on the Physiological Performance of NERICA 4 Rice Variety in Upland Ecology of Japan

The experiment was established to determine the most yield enhancing combination of sowing method and weed control measure for the selected rice variety- NERICA 4. The experiment was conducted from March to November 2023, at the upland research field of JICA’s Tsukuba International Center (TBIC), Japan. The experiment forms part of the fulfilment for the completion of a rice research technique fellowship in the Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) organized and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It consists of two sowing methods; Drilling (S1) and Dibling (S2)) as well as three methods of weed control; Chemical Weeding only at Sowing (CW), Chemical Weeding at sowing with once Hand Weeding at 60 DAS (CWHW) and Chemical Weeding at Sowing with Twice Hand Weeding at 60 and 90 DAS (CW2HW) which were combined to form six treatments. Treatments were laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications of eighteen (18) plots. 8.9 g/plot of pendimethalin 2% (G0-G0-SAN) was used. Amaranthaceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae were the prevalence weeds family identified. The treatment assigned to drilling and twice hand weeding in addition to chemical weeding at sowing (S1CW2HW) had the highest yield (3.95 tons/ha) while the treatment assigned to dibbling with the weeding control plot of only chemical weeding at sowing (S2CW) gave the lowest yield (2.5 tons/ha). There was significant difference at (P&lt;0.05) amongst the mean yield values of all treatment combinations. However, the treatment assigned to same drilling but with once hand weeding (S1CWHW) had the highest profitability rank. This study concludes that sowing with drilling and weed management by pendimethalin and once hand weeding may be productively viable for the variety. This outcome may serve as a benchmark for further research within same thematic framework for increased productivity of rice farmers in the west African sub-region from where the first two authors were sent for the experiment in Japan.

Optimizing Weed Control: A Review of Integrated Weed Management in Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Mustard (Brassica juncea L.), a species of the cruciferous family, is the world's third most significant oilseed crop, following soybean and palm. Mustard seeds range in oil content from 37 to 49%. India is the fourth-largest producer of mustard and rapeseed in the world. The most significant issue causing mustard's low yield is weed control. Crop yields are significantly reduced by weeds; in the case of mustard, this can mean a complete failure rate of 15–30%. Crop plants compete with weeds for nutrients, sunlight, space, and water. In addition to lowering crop quality, weeds pose a number of nutritional and environmental hazards. In mustard crops, weed competition is particularly important in the early stages since the crop grows slowly in the first 4–8 weeks after sowing. On the other hand, 15–40 days are the critical window for crop–weed competition. Weed control must be carried out appropriately and on time in order to maximize mustard growth and production. During the early stages of crop growth, 25–30 days after sowing, the traditional practice of hand weeding once is insufficient because weeds always reappear after manual weeding, irrigation, or winter rainfall. More importantly, though, is that these weeds drain a large amount of the soil's moisture and nutrients. Though hand weeding mustard is simple, the expense of doing so is significant due to the scarcity of labor at the appropriate time and the uncontrolled growth of various intra row weeds. Weeds may become tolerant of herbicides despite their regular and high dosage application. Therefore, combined approaches could be the best option to control the complex weed flora in mustard.