Root length, nodulation and yield response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to chemical weed management

An experimentation was conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda. The climate of this region is typically semi-arid, characterized by extremes of temperatures during both summer and winter. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatment combinations of pre and post-emergence herbicides. Mixed weed flora observed in experimental filed with dominance of sedge weeds. Sequential application of herbicides as pre and post emergence proved efficient in managing weeds. Higher weed control efficiency of 68 per cent was observed when weeds managed by application of Pendimethalin 1000 g pre-emergence fb Imazethapyr 40 g post-emergence. Root length does not influence significantly with weed management practices. Weed free condition produced more number of nodules resulted higher nodule dry weight. When weeds managed by sequential application of Pendimethalin 1000 g preemergence fb Quizalofop-ethyl 50 g post-emergence produced higher grain yield, maximum yield advantage over weedy check, minimum grain yield loss and higher net realization as well as benefit: cost ratio.