Department of Agronomy, Raja Balwant Singh College, Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Bichpuri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 283105
1Present address: Research Centre, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Chhalesar, Agia, Uttar Pradesh 282 006
A field investigation was carried out during the rainy (kharif) season of 1995 and 1996 at Agra, under rainfed conditions, to find out optimum level of nitrogen and effective weed-control methods in sesame (Sesamum indicum L). Four levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha) and 8 weed-control treatments, viz. weedy check (W0), 1 hand-weeding 21 DAS (W1), pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 0.15 kg/ha (W2), W2 + 1 hand-weeding, 21 DAS (W3), pre-planting incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha (W4), W4 + 1 hand-weeding 21 DAS (W6), pre-emergence application of Alachlor @ 1.0 kg/ha (W6) and W6 + 1 hand-weeding 21 DAS (W7), were replicated 4 times in split-plot design. Among the weed-control methods tested, dry weight of weeds was reduced ana weed-control efficiency increased due to the application of pre-planting incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha + 1 hand-weeding. This combination promoted seed yield, protein and oil production on hectare basis in addition to higher seed index and iodine value of oil. Unchecked weed growth lowered seed yield by 31.5%. Increasing N levels up to 60 kg N/ha increased the seed yield, protein and oil production, however, influence of N on the dry weight of weeds was not noted.
Nitrogen, Sesame, Quality parameters, Weed dry matter, Weed-control efficiency
