Integrated weed management in irrigated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1994, 1995 and 1996 under irrigated conditions on integrated weed management in groundnut [Arachis hypogaea L.) on loamy sand soils of Durgapura, Rajasthan. Pre-emergence application of both the herbicides pendimethalin and metolachlor @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha with 2 intercuitivations at 30 an 45 days after sowing (DAS) effectively controlled the dry-matter accumulation in weed compared with the unweeded, farmers practices and sole application of these herbicides but at par with 2 hoeings and pre-emergence application of both the herbicides pendimethalin and metolachlor 1.0 kg/ha with 1 hand-weeding at 30 DAS + interculture at 30 and 45 DAS. Among the weed-control methods tried, weed-free check, both the herbicides pendimethalin and metolachlor @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha + 2 intercuitivations with and without 1 hand-weeding had a pronounced effect on the yield attributes, yields and net returns as compared to unweeded crop.