Energy Evaluations of Several Weed Control Techniques that Undermine Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Planted in High Density

Abstract

The current study was carried out at the Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth. Akola, Cotton Research Center in Maharashtra, India, for the kharif season to assess the effectiveness of various weed management strategies in high density planting system (HDPS) cotton and also to assess the energy studies of different weed control methods used with HDPS cotton for two consecutive years (2015–16 and 2016–17). The results showed that among the other treatments, application of Pendimethalin 38.7 CS PE @ 1.25 kg a.i./ ha fbhoeing at 30 DAS and one hand weeding at 45 DAS significantly improved the energy output (84627 and 123742Mj ha-1), energy balance (73492 and 120656Mj ha-1), energy balance per unit input (6.6 and 10.8Mj ha-1) and energy output per unit input ratio (7.60 and 11), with weedy check (control), however, lower values were seen. As a result, cotton production with various weed control techniques under high density planting technique significantly improved energy output, energy balance per unit input, and energy output per unit input ratio realized that, efficient enough in terms of energy consumption as appropriate energy management (avoid excess energy input consumption) favors to maximize energy output, energy balance with higher cotton production in rainfed areas under high density planting system.