Influence of weed-control methods on growth, yield and economics of rainfed soybean (Glycine max) at farmer's field

A field experiment conducted at farmer's field during 1998 and 1999, on weed-control methods in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Men.] showed that pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (pre-emergence application) + hand-weeding resulted in significantly higher growth, yield-attributing characters, and seed yield over rest of the methods including control (farmer's practice). Significantly lower number of weeds/m² and weed dry matter were obtained with the use of pendimethalin supplemented with 1 hand-weeding. This treatment also gave the highest weed-control efficiency during both the years. The highest benefit: cost ratio was obtained with the use of pendimethalin alone.