Impact of diverse weed management practices on direct seeded finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

• Published in: The Indian journal of agricultural sciences Vol. 90; no. 6; pp. 1135 - 1139
• Main Authors: Ungata, Triveni, Dorasila, Nagarjuna, Yasarapu, Sandhya Rani, S K, Patro T S, Narasupalli, Anuradha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indian Council of Agricultural Research 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Direct seeded finger millet; Intercultivation; Pre-emergence herbicides; Weed management
• ISSN: 0019-5022; 2394-3319
• DOI: 10.56093/ijas.v90i6.104785

A Field experiment was carried out during two consecutive years (2016-17) at Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh to find out the best weed management practice for profitable production of direct-seeded finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) under rainfed condition. Two intercultural operations (IC) with hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS was found effective in reducing weed density and dry weight up to 50 DAS, increasing yield attributes and economic yield. Among the herbicidal treatments, pre-emergence application of isoproturon at 0.50 kg a.i./ha was found superior to reduce the weed density up to 25 DAS. However, application of pre-emergence herbicide alone is not sufficient for effective weed control throughout the critical period of crop-weed competition. Integration of one IC at 30 DAS in addition to pre-emergence application of isoproturon at 0.50 kg a.i./ha was identified as the best weed management practice as it attained minimum weed index (6.4%) and maximum B:C ratio (1.88), weed control efficiency (WCE) (89.7% and 96.9% at 25 and 50 DAS, respectively), herbicide efficiency index (92.5%), growth and yield attributes, grain yield (2230 kg/ha) and straw yield (6512 kg/ha). However, it remained statistically on par with bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor 0.198 kg a.i. /ha as PE + IC at 30 DAS.