Comparative efficacy of herbicidal and manual weed control in cumin (Cuminum cyminum) at different levels of nitrogen

Abstract

A field study was conducted during the winter seasons of rabi 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 to investigate the comparative efficacy of herbicidal and manual weed control in cumin (Cumimum cyminum L.) at different levels of nitrogen. All the weed-control treatments significantly reduced the density and dry weight of weeds and nutri- ent depletion as compared to weedy check. Two hand-weedings at 25 and 50 days after sowing was found to be the best treatment in reducing the above weed parameters. It attained the maximum weed-control efficiency (87.9%) and seed yield of cumin (5.50 qlha). Among herbicides, the lowest density and dry weight of weeds and the maximum weed-control efficiency (84.3%) was obtained with pre-plant Trifluralin at 2.1 6 kglha. For seed yield (4.94 q/ha) and weed-competition index (10.2%), Trifluralin at 1.08 kg/ha was found the best herbicidial treat- ment. Pendimethalin at 1.0 kglha (pre-emergence) also controlled the weeds more effectively (79.3%) than lower doses of Trifluralin and Fluchloralin at 1.125 kg/ha and resulted 242.9% higher seed yield than the control. Appli- cation of 30 kg N/ha was the most remunerative dose for cumin with respect to seed yield.