Effective weed management practices in kharif sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)for higher yield and economics

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 on deep black soilwith neutral reaction (pH 7.50), organiccarbon (5.4 g kg-1), available nitrogen (262.00 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (39.25 kg ha-1) and available potassium (307.00kg ha-1) at Agricultural Research Station, Hagari, Ballari. The experiment was replicated thrice in Randomized CompleteBlock Design. There were twelve treatments comprising of weed management practices. The dominant weeds observed inthe experimental fields were among grasses Digitaria bicornis, while in broad leaved weeds, Abutilon hirtum and amongsedges, Cyperus rotundus. Significantly lower density of grasses, sedges, and broad leaved weeds, weed dry weight, weedindex (%) and higher weed control efficiency throughout the crop growth period was noticed in sequential pre-emergenceapplication of atrazine 50 WP @ 0.50 kg a.i.ha-1fb 2, 4-D Ethyl Ester 38 EC @ 0.90 kg a.i.ha-1 as PoE at 30 days after sowing30.5 g, 4777 kg ha-1, 9577 kg ha-1, 16.72 %, 1,11,187ha-1, 68, 425 ha-1 and 2.60, respectively) was recorded with pre-emergence application of atrazine 50 WP @ 0.50 kg a.i.ha-1fb 2,4-D Ethyl Ester 38 EC @ 0.90 kg a.i.ha-1 as PoE at 30 DASexcept weed free and it was on par with hand weeding at 20 DAS and 1 IC at 40 DAS and 2, 4-D Ethyl Ester 38 EC @ 0.90kg a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS fb 1 IC at 40 DAS as compared to other treatments.