Effect of Combined Application of Herbicides on Weed Flora, Yield Attributes, Yield and Profitability of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) commonly known as gram or Bengal gram belongs to the family Leguminaceae (Fabaceae). It's one of the most important rabi season pulse crops grown in India for economic importance and to improve soil fertility. The productivity of chickpea is low despite of having high-yielding varieties and new agronomic practices. One of the causes of poor productivity is the infestation of weeds in the field of chickpea. It is a poor competitor to weeds because of its slow growth rate and limited leaf area development at early stages. To overcome this, a field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2021-22 at the Agronomy Research Farm of the Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (UP). Replicated thrice set of eleven treatments (T1) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE,(T2) Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE,(T3) Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T4) Propaquizafop 10 EC @ 0.075 kg a.i./ha PoE,(T5) Quizalfop ethyl 5 EC @ 40 g a.i./ha PoE, (T6) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE followed by (Fb) Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T7) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb by Propaquizafop 10 EC @ 0.075 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T8) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb by Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T9) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha pE fb by Quizalfop ethyl 5 EC @ 40 g a.i./ha PoE, (T10) Weed free and (T11) Weedy check, was laid out in randomized block design. Weed management was done as per treatment. Other crop management practices were followed as per the recommendation of the area. Pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha as PoE during the experiment recorded significantly less weed density, weed dry matter, and higher weed control efficiency, yield attributes (number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod and test weight), yield (grain yield, stover yield, biological yield, and harvest yield). Economically it recorded higher gross returns, the net return, and B:C ratio was noted and proved to be more remunerative as compared to other herbicide applications used in chickpea crop.