1Division of Agronomy, FoA, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha-180009, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India
2Dean, FoA and Registrar, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha-180009, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India
*Corresponding author: agrontushar@gmail.com
A field experiment was conducted during spring-summer season of 2024 at the Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, to study the profitability of tomato as influenced by integrated weed management in shivalik foothills of Jammu. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised of nine treatments, viz., T1 (Pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (PE), T2 (Pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (PE) + one HW at 30 DAT), T3 (Oxyfluorfen 0.25 kg a.i./ha (PPI), T4 (Oxyfluorfen 0.25 kg a.i./ha (PPI) + one HW at 30 DAT), T5 (Black polythene mulch), T6 (White polythene mulch), T7 (Two hand weeding at 30 & 45 DAT), T8 (Weed Free), T9 (Weedy check). Experiment results revealed that weed management treatments significantly enhanced fruit yield and economic returns. Black polythene mulch recorded significantly higher yield of 298.62 q/ha, while Pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (PE) + one HW at 30 DAT recorded the highest benefit-cost ratio of 2.81. Thus, based on one year study it can be concluded that T5 (Black polythene mulch) was found to be effective for improving fruit yield of tomato. However, T2 (Pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (PE) + one hand weeding at 30 DAT) was found to be economically viable option for tomato growers of Jammu region.
⓿ Sustainable crop production requires effective integrated management practices.
⓿ Integrated approaches enhance crop productivity and resource-use efficiency.
⓿ Improved management strategies increase farm profitability and system sustainability.
Tomato, Integrated weed management, Yield, Profitability, Mulching, Herbicides
