Effect of cultural and chemical weed control on productivity of fodder oat (Avena sativa) in arid Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2002–03 and 2003–04 to find out the effective and economical weed-control measure in fodder oats (Avena sativa L.). The different weed-control treatments significantly controlled the weed flora and recorded 69.2 to 97.6% weed-control efficiency (WCE) at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and 59.3 to 98.0 per cent at 50% flowering stage. However, post-emergence application of 2,4-D proved phytotoxic by stunting the crop growth and narrowing the leaf area. Among weed-control treatments, weed-free treatment proved superior and produced highest fodder yields (GFY 42.9 t/ha DFY 11.05 t/ha), followed by post-emergence application of metsulfuron methyl @ 0.008 kg/ha + 1 hand-weeding. Economical analysis showed that application of metsulfuron methyl @ 0.008 kg/ha gave the maximum net returns (Rs 14,647) and benefit: cost ratio (1.79), followed by metsulfuron methyl 0.012 kg/ha+1 hand-weeding. Computation of energy relationship revealed that weed-free treatment was more energy efficient, recording highest energy ratio (9.46) and energy productivity (525.7 g/MJ), followed by post-emergence application of metsulfuron methyl @ 0.012 kg/ha (9.42 and 523.3 g/MJ).