Integrated Weed Management in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Seven treatments viz., black plastic mulch, wheat straw mulch, pendimethaline 30 EC alone, pendimethaline 30 EC with one hand weeding, one hand weeding, two hand weedings and unweeded check. Germination of okra was slightly affected by spraying of pendimethaline 30 EC. Plant height was improved by using the mulches. Weed density was always lower in plots having mulches and the plots sprayed with pendimefhaline30 EC or hand weeding. Pod length and pod diameter were showed the higher in mulch treated plots. Number of pods and yield was increased by all the weed control measures as compared to un- weeded plots. Both black plastic mulch and wheat straw mulch were found to be helpful in conserving the moisture, controlling weeds and produced higher yield. Results suggested that spraying of pendimethaline 30 EC @ 3 L ha⁻¹ as pre-emergence with one hand weeding at 45 days after sowing was the best to control weeds to get higher yield and economic returns.