Weed management in rainfed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and greengram (Phaseolus radiatus) under North-Western Agroclimatic Zone of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

In a 2-year field experiment an application of herbicide either pendimethalin or fluchloralin 3 days after sowing was found effective in controlling weeds and recorded lower weed population and dry matter of weed. Application of pendimethalin (1.5 or 2.0 litreslha) or fluchloralin (1.0 or 1.5 litreslha) at 3 days + 1 hand-weeding at 30 days caused significant reduction in weed population and weed dry metter and marked increase in crop yield and were comparable with hand-weeding twice at 15 and 30 days in rainfed cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.). In places where labour availability - was not a problem hand-weeding twice at 15 and 30 days could fetch higher net returns in rainfed cowpea and greengram under North-Western Agroclimatic Zone of Tamil Nadu.