Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) is a major oilseed crop in India with diverse industrial applications. However, weed infestation severely constrains crop growth, yield and quality. To evaluate the response of different pre- and post-emergence herbicides, a field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years at Research Farm of the Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) Mullana, Ambala, Haryana. Eleven weed management treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included pendimethalin pre-emergence (PRE) at 750 g ha-1, pendimethalin PRE at 1000 g ha-1 + one hand weeding at 30 DAS, quizalafop-ethyl PRE at 60 g ha-1, quizalafop-ethyl PRE at 60 g ha-1 + one hand-weeding at 30 DAS, clodianafop post emergence (PoE) at 60 g ha-1, oxyfluorfen PRE at 150 g ha-1, oxyfluorfen PRE at 150 g ha-1 + one hand-weeding at 30 DAS, oxadiargyl PRE at 90 g ha-1, oxadiargyl PRE at 90 g ha-1 + one hand-weeding at 30 DAS compared with weed free and weedy check treatments. Among all treatments, the weed-free plot showed the best overall performance. Among herbicidal options, PRE application of oxadiargyl at 90 g ha-1 combined with one hand weeding provided excellent weed control, with the highest weed control efficiency recorded at 30 DAS (75.3 and 67.2 %) and 60 DAS (94.9 and 92.8 %). This treatment also resulted in significantly higher seed yield (1776 and 1393 kg ha-1), stover yield (4977 and 4157 kg ha-1) and harvest index (26.30 and 25.10). The highest gross and net returns, along with B:C ratio (1.92 and 1.62), were recorded with PRE application of oxadiargyl alone, closely followed by its integration with one hand weeding.

ABSTRACT Weed management in wheat is becoming more difficult due to declining effectiveness of post‐emergence (POST) herbicides. Although pre‐emergence (PRE) herbicides remain effective, a single application is insufficient to control all weed cohorts. Field studies were conducted in India to combine PRE herbicides with non‐chemical measures for weed control. The experiment was conducted in a split‐split plot design with three levels of rice residue mulch (0, 4, 8 t ha −1 ) in main plots, two wheat seeding rates (100 and 125 kg ha −1 ) in sub‐plots and five weed control treatments‐ pendimethalin + metribuzin (PRE), pendimethalin + metribuzin followed by ( fb ) sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron (POST), pyroxasulfone (PRE) fb sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron (POST), weed‐free control and weedy check in sub‐sub plots. Results revealed that rice residue mulching at 8 t ha −1 reduced the dry matter of Phalaris minor and broad‐leaved weeds by 48%–50% and 56%–60%, respectively, at 60 days after sowing (DAS) compared to weedy check. Similarly, a higher seed rate of 125 kg ha −1 reduced total weed biomass by 11%–14% compared to the lower seed rate at 60 DAS. The strategic integration of higher seeding density, 8 t ha −1 rice residue, and a PRE herbicide mixture (pendimethalin 1.5 + metribuzin 0.210 kg ha −1 , applied beneath the mulch) reduced total weed biomass by 98% and improved wheat productivity compared to weedy check, without mulch and lower seeding rate treatment combination. This study suggests for an integrated strategy tailored to the rice‐wheat system to manage weeds, rice residues and enhance wheat productivity.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a climate-resilient and nutritious crop; however, imbalanced nutrient application and inadequate weed management can limit productivity. A field experiment conducted at Pusa Farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University , Samastipur, Bihar, during kharif 2024. The experiment conducted in a split plot design with two nutrient sources (N1: 100 % Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) via chemical fertilizer, N2: 75 % RDN + 25 % RDN via farmyard manure (FYM)) as main plot factor and four weed management practices (W₁: Butachlor at 1.0 kg ha-1 (Pre-emergence (PE)) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (Post-emergence (PoE)); W₂: Oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1, W3: Weedy check and W4: Weed free as sub-plot factor. Results showed that 100 % RDN increased plant height (101.79 cm), dry matter accumulation (897.8 g m-2) and no. of tillers (5.18 plant-1). Weed-free plots exhibited more tillers (5.76 plant-1) and accumulation (827.1 g m-2). The weed-free plots suppress weed by 75.4 %. In weed-free plots, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium consumption rose 19.4, 16.8 and 18.7 %, respectively. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.1 kg ha-1) fb 2,4-D (0.5 kg ha-1) resulted in highest net returns Rs. 88881 ha-1 with benefit-to-cost ratio (2.61). This 1 season study supports long-term experimentation, but it shows that 75 % RDN along with 25 % FYM and oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (PoE) can boost finger millet productivity and profitability.

A field investigation was conducted during 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the instructional farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, to evaluate the combined influence of tillage and weed management practices on the growth and quality attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) under the sub-humid conditions of Southern Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four tillage practices viz., conventional tillage (CT), conventional tillage with residue (CT+R), zero tillage (ZT) and zero tillage with residue (ZT+R) in main plots along with three weed management strategies i.e., atrazine + tembotrione (500 + 120 g ha-1) as post-emergence (PoE), atrazine 500 g ha-1 as pre-emergence (PE) followed by hand weeding at 35 DAS and weedy checkin subplots. The results revealed that tillage systems did not significantly affect crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR). However, weed management exerted a marked influence, with atrazine 500 g ha-1 as PE followed by hand weeding at 35 DAS producing the highest CGR and RGR, closely followed by the atrazine + tembotrione tank mix treatment. Further tillage and weed management didn’t not exerted significant influence on chlorophyll and protein content in maize.

Background: Since peanut fields are often treated with fungicides during the growing season to control stem rot disease (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) and early and late leaf spot disease [caused by Cercospora arachidicola Hori) and Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Deighton, respectively], weeds can also interfere with the uniform deposition of fungicides and therefore reduce disease control. Aims: The present study evaluates weed control and peanut response with the premix of carfentrazone plus pyroxasulfone (C + P). Study Design: Randomized complete block design with 3 to 4 reps depending on location. Place and Duration of Study: During the 2022 through 2024 growing seasons in the Texas Rolling Plains near Vernon and in south Texas near Yoakum. Methodology: Plots at Yoakum consisted of two rows spaced 97 cm apart and 7.6 m long while at Vernon plots were 2 rows spaced 102 cm apart by 7.6 m long in 2022 and 2024 and 4 rows spaced 102 cm apart by 18.2 m long in 2023. Preemergence (PRE) treatments were applied 2 to 10 days after planting (DAP). Peanut cracking (CRACK) treatments were applied 4 to 10 DAP. Postemergence (POST) treatments were applied 30 to 40 DAP. Weed control and peanut injury data were arcsine transformed prior to analysis of variance. Means were compared with Fisher’s Protected LSD test at the 5% probability level. The untreated control was not included in the weed control analysis but was included in the yield analysis. Results: In south Texas, Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.) control was > 90% with either pendimethalin applied PRE followed by (fb) S-metolachlor applied at CRACK fb C + P plus clethodim applied POST or S-metolachlor plus paraquat applied at CRACK fb S-metolachlor plus clethodim applied POST. All herbicide systems which contained C + P controlled Texas millet [Urochloa texana (Buckl.)] 87 to 98% while Smellmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. Dudaim Naud.) control with C + P systems ranged from 58 to 100%. In the Rolling Plains, A. palmeri and U. texana control was most consistent (76 to 91%) with C + P applied both at CRACK and POST. Under moderate A. palmeri pressure (4 to 5 plants/m2), all herbicide systems increased peanut yield over the untreated check (65%), while with no weed pressure, no differences in yield were noted with any herbicide treatment from the untreated check. Conclusion: The premix of C + P can help peanut producers manage their annual broadleaf weed problems. Broadleaf weeds cause Texas peanut growers considerable problems and can be hard-to-control with many of the presently used herbicides. Oftentimes, the premix of C + P does not effectively control large-seeded annual grasses such as Texas millet and requires the use of a graminicide such as fluazifop-P-butyl, clethodim, or sethoxydim (WSSA Group 1 herbicides) to improve season-long control.

Abstract Cotton production in the Texas High Plains faces significant challenges due to water scarcity resulting from uneven rainfall patterns and declining levels of the Ogallala aquifer. Deficit or reduced irrigation is one of the most common water management strategies to increase water use efficiency and cotton productivity in the region. However, deficit irrigation can affect the efficacy of herbicides on weeds. This study investigates how varying irrigation levels affect herbicide efficacy on weeds in cotton production systems. A two-year field study was conducted at Texas Tech University Quaker Research Farm in 2023 and 2024. The experiment was randomized three times in a split-plot design with two irrigation levels: I1 [100% crop evapotranspiration (ET c ) replacement] and I2 [50% ET c replacement] as the main plot factor and different pre-emergent (PRE) and post-emergent (POST) herbicide combinations as the subplot factor. Results indicated that reducing the irrigation level to I2 did not affect the total weed density or biomass production but resulted in decreased Palmer amaranth height and biomass production compared to I1. Among herbicide treatments, acetochlor, prometryn, or S -metolachlor PRE fb glyphosate + acetochlor, prometryn, or S -metolachlor POST provided the most effective weed control, reducing total weed density, Palmer amaranth weed density and biomass compared to the untreated control and to PRE alone. Although I2 resulted in lower plant height in both years than I1, it produced comparable cotton biomass and lint yield. Among the herbicide treatments, PRE fb glyphosate + residual herbicide POST yielded significantly higher lint yield than the untreated control in both years. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that deficit irrigation is an effective water conservation technique that maintains cotton yield and herbicide efficacy. Additionally, using PRE fb POST herbicide combinations, farmers can achieve effective weed control and sustain cotton productivity in semi-arid regions.

Application of herbicide not only diminishes the weed activities but also influences crop physiological processes. The present study planned to evaluate the impact of pre and post emergence herbicides on physiological traits of two genotypes viz., MH-65 and MH-45, to examine the genotype specific behavioral pattern. Treatments given as per the recommended dose of pendimethalin, imazethapyr, quizalofop, and their combinations as compared to the control (no herbicide application) to analyze the relative water content (RWC), cell membrane stability (CMS), canopy temperature (CT), canopy temperature depression (CTD), chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll stability index (CSI). Results revealed that under control conditions, MH-65 recorded higher RWC (87.90%) and CMS (57.40%) than MH-45 (79.10% and 51.80%, respectively), indicating superior baseline physiological status whereas herbicide application showed significant decline in RWC, CMS, CTD, chlorophyll content, CSI and increase in CT in both genotypes. Maximum reductions in tested parameters were observed under combined herbicide treatments, particularly imazethapyr + quizalofop, where RWC declined to 45.30% in MH-65 and 40.60% in MH-45, while CMS decreased to 21.00% and 18.20%, respectively. Similarly, canopy temperature increased to 35.20–36.90 °C, whereas CTD declined to as low as 0.10–0.05 °C, indicating severe impairment of transpirational cooling. Chlorophyll content and CSI also showed marked reductions, with minimum values of 4.81mg g⁻¹ FW and 48.90% in MH-65, and 4.30mg g⁻¹ FW and 43.20% in MH-45. Genotype MH-65 significantly maintained lower CT and higher CTD, RWC, CMS, chlorophyll content, and CSI than MH-45, finally showed greater physiological resilience in response to different herbicide treatments. Thus, this study highlights the effectiveness of physiological traits as dependable markers for screening herbicide-tolerant genotypes and enhancing weed management practices.

Herbicides are widely used for effective weed control in legume crops, and their application may alter physiological and biochemical attributes. In the present investigation, the impact of pre and post emergence herbicides on major biochemical and antioxidant traits of Vigna aconitifolia L. was evaluated under field conditions during the Kharif seasons of 2024–25. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with three replications using two genotypes viz., MH-65 and MH-45 and under the application of pendimethalin, imazethapyr, and quizalofop individually and in different combinations. The biochemical responses revealed that control plants maintained the highest levels of water soluble carbohydrates, protein, and leghemoglobin. In MH-65 and MH-45, it showed variation in the carbohydrate content (73.20 and 69.80 mg g-1 FW), protein content (29.80 and 26.90 mg g-1 FW), and leghemoglobin (1.80 and 1.15 mg g-1), respectively. Herbicide application, particularly in combination, resulted remarkable reductions in tested parameters whereas proline showed accumulation and superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly under herbicide exposure, with maximum values of 5.35 μmol g⁻¹ FW for proline and 30.20 U mg⁻¹ protein for SOD. Overall, genotype MH-65 exhibited greater metabolic stability, whereas MH-45 showed stronger stress-responsive biochemical activation.

A field experiment was conducted at Military farm, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the kharif season of 2022 to evaluate the efficiency of different nozzles used in drone-based PoE herbicide spray on yield and yield components of transplanted rice. The design used in the study was carried out with the application of post emergence herbicide triafamone + ethoxysulfron using five different nozzles in drone i.e., XR11002VP, AIXR110015VS, DG 110015VS, DG95015EVS and SJ7A015VP and flat fan nozzle was used in knapsack sprayer. The lowest nutrient removal by weeds was recorded in hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAT, followed by the knapsack sprayer (flat fan nozzle) and drone treatments with SJ7A015VP, AIXR110015VS, and DG95015EVS nozzles. The highest nutrient removal occurred in unweeded check.

Abstract Fall‐planted cover crops (CCs) are widely used for weed suppression, but CC establishment challenges after fall harvest in temperate regions necessitate alternative approaches. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the integrated effect of spring‐planted barley or oat CC and herbicide programs for CC biomass production, Palmer amaranth ( Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) suppression, and soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr] yield. Field experiments were conducted during 2023–2024 in an irrigated no‐till soybean in south central Nebraska. A split‐plot design with early spring planted (i) barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) CC, (ii) oat ( Avena sativa L.) CC, and (iii) no cover crop (NCC) as main factors and sub‐factors included five herbicide programs: (i) nontreated, (ii) pre‐emergence (PRE) only (PRE‐only), (iii) post‐emergence (POST) only (POST‐only) (iv) PRE followed by POST herbicide (PP), (v) PRE followed by POST plus residual herbicide (PPR). Barley or oats were drill‐planted a month before soybean planting. Oat produced 42% more biomass than barley in 2023 (1.44 Mg ha −1 ) and 102% more biomass in 2024 (3.47 Mg ha −1 ). In 2023, CCs had no effect on Palmer amaranth at CC termination. In 2024, oat and barley without PRE herbicide reduced Palmer amaranth density by 89% and 83% and biomass by 90% and 92%, respectively, compared to NCC without PRE herbicide. At 4 weeks after POST herbicide application, oat‐nontreated treatment reduced Palmer amaranth density by 80% and biomass by 64%, while barley‐nontreated had similar results compared to NCC‐nontreated. Soybean yields were not affected by CCs but improved by integrating with herbicide program, with PPR treatment (4.12 Mg ha −1 ) yielding 225% higher than the nontreated control. It is concluded that spring‐planted oat CC integrated with herbicides can be included in Palmer amaranth management program in soybean.

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020–21 at the Agricultural Farm of the Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, to evaluate the herbicidal efficacy of imazethapyr applied as pre- and post-emergence for weed management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under lateritic soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments replicated three times, comprising imazethapyr at 30, 40, and 50 g ha⁻¹ applied as pre-emergence (PE) and post-emergence (POE), pendimethalin at 750 g ha⁻¹ as PE, a weed-free treatment, and a weedy check. Results indicated that weed density, weed dry weight, and weed control efficiency were significantly influenced by the dose and time of herbicide application. Post-emergence application of imazethapyr proved more effective than pre-emergence application in suppressing both grasses and broad-leaved weeds. Among imazethapyr treatments, application at 50 g ha⁻¹ as post-emergence recorded lower weed density and dry weight, higher weed control efficiency, and improved growth parameters, including plant height, leaf area index, and crop growth rate. These improvements resulted in higher biological yield and seed yield compared to lower doses and pre-emergence applications of imazethapyr. However, pendimethalin at 750 g ha⁻¹ as pre-emergence and the weed-free treatment achieved the highest weed suppression, crop productivity, and economic returns, while the weedy check recorded the lowest yields due to severe weed competition. The study concludes that pendimethalin as pre-emergence remains the most effective chemical weed management option in chickpea, while imazethapyr at 50 g ha⁻¹ applied as post-emergence serves as an efficient and practical alternative when pre-emergence application is not feasible.

A post emergence herbicide that will reduce labors demand and cost is the desire of crops farmer. This is because hand and hoe weeding is expensive, need more labors and due to scarcity of labors, particularly at the peak of the season. Hoe weeding may damage roots and pegs, hence reduce groundnut yield. In view of this the performance of haloxyfop-P-methyl was evaluated on groundnut crop in Sudan. An experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 at Elobied Research Station Farm, Sudan, under light soil, rain fed conditions to evaluate the herbicidal efficacy of Haloxyfop-p-methyl (Agroharvest 10.8 EC) for post-emergence grassy weed control in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) .The herbicide was applied at 0.100, 0.200, 0.300 and 0.400 L/fed (1 fed= 0.42 ha), 3 weeks after sowing using a knapsack sprayer at a volume rate of 80 to 90 L/fed. Grassy weed, weeded and unweeded controls were included for comparison. Some herbicide treated plots received one supplementary hand weeding four weeks after application. In both seasons, Haloxyfop-p-methyl at 0.100 and 0.200 L/fed without supplementary weeding displayed poor to satisfactory control of grassy weeds early and late in the season. While the dose of 0.3 and 0.4 l/fed resulted in excellent (86-92%) and good to excellent (77-84%) control of grasses in the first and second season, respectively. The herbicides treatments significantly reduced weed biomass and weed ground cover compared to the weedy and grassy weeds controls in both seasons. Unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced groundnut pods yield by 51-57% in comparison to the weedy and grassy weed control. The herbicide treatments significantly increased groundnut pods yields in comparison with the weedy control. Haloxyfop-p-methyl product at 0.3 and 0.4 l/fed with one supplementary hand weeding revealed groundnut pods yield comparable to the weeded control.

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2023-24 at MPKV, Rahuri, to assess the effectiveness of various weed management practices in onion (Allium cepa L.). The trial comprised ten treatments involving pre- and post-emergence applications of Oxyfluorfen and Pendimethalin, alone or in combination with hand weeding, along with Propaquizafop-based treatments, a weedy check, and a weed-free check, arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. All weed control treatments significantly reduced weed population and dry matter over the weedy check. The weed-free treatment recorded the highest weed control efficiency, lowest weed density, and superior growth attributes, followed closely by Pendimethalin 580 g a.i./ha (PE) plus hand weeding at 45 DAP. Yield parameters such as average bulb weight and total bulb yield were also highest under weed-free conditions, with T4 emerging as the best among herbicidal treatments. Economic analysis revealed maximum net returns and benefit-cost ratio in the weed-free treatment, while T4 provided the highest economic gains among herbicides. The study concludes that Pendimethalin 580 g a.i./ha (PE) combined with hand weeding at 45 DAP is the most effective herbicidal strategy for weed suppression, improved growth, and enhanced bulb yield in onion. Multi-season validation is recommended for broader applicability.

Abstract Palmer amaranth is an increasing concern for producers in the northeastern United States. A new Palmer amaranth population (NY_PA) was identified from a soybean field in Ontario County, NY in 2024. The main objectives of this research were to (1) confirm whether this NY_PA population was resistant to glyphosate and atrazine (multiple herbicide-resistant, MHR), and (2) determine the effectiveness of various postemergence (POST) herbicides alone or in mixtures for its control. Along with the NY_PA population, two previously known glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth populations from Connecticut (CT_PA) and Kansas (KS_PA), and a known glyphosate-susceptible population from Alabama (AL_SUS) were also evaluated. Results from the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay revealed that the NY_PA population had 165 to 199 copies of the 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase ( EPSPS) gene as compared to a single EPSPS gene copy in the AL_SUS population. A greenhouse dose-response study revealed that the NY_PA and CT_PA Palmer amaranth populations had 7- to 11-fold resistance to atrazine. Nearly all POST herbicides tested, including 2,4-D, dicamba, saflufenacil, glufosinate, lactofen alone or in mixtures with 2,4-D, dicamba, and glufosinate, provided effective control (90 to 100%) of Palmer amaranth from NY, CT, and KS. All these POST herbicides, alone or in mixtures, reduced shoot dry biomass of all three populations by 82 to 97% as compared to the nontreated control. These results confirm the first report of MHR (resistant to glyphosate and atrazine) Palmer amaranth populations from NY and CT. Effective POST herbicides tested in this research can be used to manage these MHR Palmer amaranth populations.

A field investigation was conducted at the Dryland farm of S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, during Rainy season, 2023 in a randomized block design. Eleven treatments were undertaken and each replicated thrice. The lowest weed density and biomass, higher weed control efficiency and pearl millet growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and stover yield were recorded with hand weeding (HW) twice at 20 and 40 DAS, but it was equally effective with pre emergence (PE) application of pendimethalin 0.5 kgha-1fb 1 HW at 30 DAS and PE application of atrazine 0.5 kg ha-1fb 1 HW at 30 DAS. Among the pre followed by post emergence (PoE) herbicides the density and dry weight of total weeds were lower with PE application of pendimethalin 0.5 kg ha-1fb PoE application of carfentrazone ethyl 20 gha-1at 25 DAS, which was at par with PE application of pendimethalin 0.5 kg ha-1fb PoE application of pyrithiobac sodium 0.05 kg ha-1at 25 DAS. Growth parameters of blackgram were not significantly influenced by weed management practices imposed in pearl millet. Application of atrazine, pendimethalin, pyrithiobac sodium, metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron methyl, carfentrazone ethyl and tembotrione in pearl millet did not exert any residual/inhibitory effect on succeeding blackgram.

Two-year field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 (July-November) at the University of Calcutta Agricultural Experimental Farm, Baruipur, West Bengal, using the rice variety ‘Ajit’ (IET 22066). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with nine treatments and three replications, comprising T₁-Pendimethalin 30 EC (1000 g a.i. ha-1) as pre-emergence (PE) at 3 DAS, T₂-Pretilachlor 30.7 EW (500 g a.i./ha) as PE at 3 DAS, T₃-Oxadiargyl 80 WP (80 g a.i./ha) as PE at 3 DAS, T₄–Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 10 WP (25 g a.i./ha), T₅-Bispyribac-sodium 10 SC (25 g a.i. ha-1) as post-emergence (POE) at 20 DAS, T₆-Triafamone 20% + Ethoxysulfuron 10% WG (150 g a.i. ha-1) as POE at 20 DAS, T₇-Pretilachlor 30.7 EW (500 g a.i. ha-1) as PE at 3 DAS + Bispyribac-sodium 10 SC (25 g a.i. ha-1) as POE at 20 DAS, T₈-Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, and T₉-Unweeded control. The pre-germinated seeds were broadcasted on wet-puddled soils during the third week of July in mid-upland condition. The soil was fertile with clay loam in texture having pH of 6.0. The treatment T₈-Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS showed lowest weed biomass-(25.67, 21.22 and 23.44) g m-2 at 90 DAS and weed density-(25.09, 20.48 and 22.79) m-2. Similar treatment performed best regarding growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of (4.53 t ha-1) grain yield and (6.65 t ha-1) straw yield during the experimental years. Herbicidal treatment T₇-Pretilachlor 30.7 EW (500 g a.i. ha-1) as PE at 3 DAS + Bispyribac-sodium 10 SC (25 g a.i. ha-1) as POE at 20 DAS was the second-best treatment after manual weeding in terms of weed control and yield performance. The control plot T9 indicated lowest yield due to not adoption of any weed management practices.

The experiment was conducted during (June–October, 2021 and 2022) at School of Agricultural Sciences, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, India, to investigate the effects of sowing dates and weed management strategies on nutrient uptake by crops and weeds in soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivation. A split-plot design was employed with three sowing dates (June 15, June 30, and July 15) and seven weed control treatments, including soil solarization, mulching, herbicides, manual weeding, and a weedy check. The results showed that early sowing on June 15 significantly reduced weed density, dry weight, and nutrient depletion by weeds compared with that on later sowing dates. Among the weed control treatments, hand weeding at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) was the most effective in controlling weeds. The application of pendimethalin 30 EC at 1 kg ha-1 as pre-emergence (PE)+imazethapyr 10 SL at 100 g ha-1 as post-emergence (PoE) at 20 DAS was the best herbicidal treatment, resulting in the lowest weed count, dry weight and nutrient depletion. Nutrient uptake by soybean seed and stover was highest with the June 15 sowing date and two hand weedings, followed by the application of pendimethalin (PE)+imazethapyr application (PoE). This study emphasizes the significance of early sowing and effective weed management in maximizing the nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of soybean under the prevailing conditions in Nagaland, India.

Weeds impose significant challenges in maize production, leading to decreased grain yield and profit. The crop-weed competition for plant's required resources like light, water and nutrients, ultimately hinders maize growth and yield. To address this concern, field experiments were conducted for two years (Kharif 2021 and 2022) at the Experimental Farm, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, India and compared the effects of hand weeding with those of sequential and sole application of Pre-Emergence (PE) and Post-Emergence (PoE) herbicides in maize. The experiment was designed under a randomized complete block design with three replications and nine treatments. The treatments consisted of unweeded control (T1), hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 Days After Sowing (DAS) (T2), PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS (T3), PoE application of topramezone at 25.2 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T4), PoE application of tembotrione at 120 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T5), PoE application of halosulfuron methyl at 67.5 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T6), PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE application of topramezone at 25.2 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T7), PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE application of tembotrione at 120 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T8) and PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE application of halosulfuron methyl at 67.5 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS (T9). The results indicated that hand weeding twice at 15 and 25 DAS recorded significantly superior weed control efficiency (89.82 and 83.31 %), weed control index (90.11 and 87.87 %), maize growth attributes and grain yield (6732 and 6831 kg ha-1) and stover yield (10920 and 11071 kg ha-1) during the years 2021 and 2022 respectively. However, it was on par with PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE application of topramezone at 25.2 g a.i ha-1/tembotrione at 120 g a.i ha-1on 18 DAS. This suppressed the weeds nutrient uptake and enhanced nutrient uptake by maize. Thus, lower post-harvest actual balance and net gain of soil available nutrients were noticed with these treatments. Concerning economics, PE application of atrazine at 1 kg a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE application of topramezone at 25.2 g a.i ha-1 on 18 DAS may offer a more effective way to increase profitability in maize cultivation.

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the weed management effect on weed suppression, crop growth, yield and economics of soybean within a custard apple-based system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design comprising seven treatments with three replications. The treatments included pre-emergence (PRE) of pyroxasulfone 85 % w/w WG (GSP sample) 120.0 mL ha-1 (T1), pyroxasulfone 85 % w/w WG (GSP sample) 150.0 mL ha-1 (T2), pyroxasulfone 85 % w/w WG (GSP sample) 187.5 mL ha-1 (T3), pyroxasulfone 85 % w/w WG (Market sample) 150.0 mL ha-1 (T4); early post-emergence (PoE), imazethapyr 10 % SL WC 1000.0 mL ha-1 (T5), hand weeding at 20 and 40 days after sowing (T6) and untreated control (T7). The hand-weeded plots (T6) recorded significantly the lowest weed density (WD) and weed dry weight (WDW) along with the highest weed control efficiency. Among herbicidal treatments, T3 showed significantly better weed suppression, physiological growth indices, biomass accumulation and grain yield of soybean, followed closely by T2. This treatment also delivered superior net returns and benefit-cost ratio compared to other herbicidal options. The combination of effective weed management using pyroxasulfone 85 % WG (GSP sample) at 150 mL ha-1 (T2) and the agri-horti system proved to be a sustainable and profitable approach for soybean production under the given agro-climatic conditions.

Abstract With the introduction of tetflupyrolimet as the first herbicide with a novel site of action in the last three decades, screening for herbicide resistance before commercialization has become integral to ensure successful applications. In the mid-southern United States, tetflupyrolimet is anticipated to be used as a preemergence (PRE) herbicide for barnyardgrass control but does exhibit postemergence (POST) herbicidal activity. In 2020, 45 Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyardgrass) accessions were collected from rice-producing areas in Arkansas and were screened in the greenhouse to tetflupyrolimet at 134 g ai ha-1 PRE and POST at the 2- to 3-leaf growth stage on a silt loam soil. A field experiment was conducted where tetflupyrolimet was applied alone at 134 g ai ha-1 or with clomazone at 336 g ai ha-1, to a susceptible barnyardgrass standard and four other accessions with confirmed resistance to florpyrauxifen-benzyl, imazethapyr, propanil, and quinclorac at the spiking, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-leaf stages. For the PRE screening, the percent visible control ranged from 88% to 99%, with some accessions differing in sensitivity to tetflupyrolimet. Percent mortality ranged from 47% to 90% at the PRE timing. Visible control and mortality ranged from 63% to 88% and 7% to 65%, respectively, from a POST application, suggesting there is differential sensitivity and that foliar applications may not be as effective as soil applications. In the field experiment, barnyardgrass accession did not influence POST biomass production and was impacted more by the growth stage at application, although the difference was frequently numerical. In general, applying tetflupyrolimet alone or with clomazone to ≥3 leaf grass compromised performance. Tetflupyrolimet will be better optimized as a soil-applied herbicide in mid-southern U.S. rice culture.