Growth and yield of irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) as influenced by different chemical and non chemical weed management practices

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during the winter seasons (August to January) of 1998 1999 and 1999 2000, to develop efficient chemical and non chemical weed management practices for MCU 5 irrigated cotton Gossypium hirsutum L.). Pre emergence application of Cinmethylin at 0.6 kglha followed by hand weeding 40 days after sowlng gave excellent control of grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds, whereas the yield of seed cotton was reduced by initial phytotoxicity to cotton crop. However, Cinmethylin at 0.5 kg/ha hand weeding at 40 days after sowing increased the growth, yield parameters and seed cotton yield of 1,878 and 1,781 kglha. Among the non chemical weed management practices, growing of greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] as smother crop effectively suppressed total weed population and enhanced growth, yield parameters and seed cotton yield.