Phenology, dry matter and yield of greengram (Vigna radiata) as influenced by planting methods and weed-management practices

An experiment was carried out during the rainy (kharif) season of 2014 and 2015 at Hisar, Haryana, to find out suitable method of planting and weed management in greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]. There was no significant effect of planting methods and weed management practices on days taken to 75% emergence. Similarly, days to 50% flowering, 50% pod formation and physiological maturity were not affected by planting methods. However among weed-management practices, these parameters were significantly lesser in weedy check treatment as compared to remaining treatments. Total dry-matter accumulation in plant remained unaffected due to planting methods and weed-management practices at 15 days after sowing (DAS). However, at remaining stages of observation (30, 45 DAS and at maturity), statistically higher dry-matter accumulation in plant (4.17, 12.28 and 30.57 g/plant, respectively) was recorded in raised-bed method among the planting methods and in weed-free treatment (5.03, 14.23 and 34.49 g/plant, respectively) among the weed-management practices. Of the different planting methods and weed-management treatments, raised bed and hand-weeding (15 and 30 DAS), respectively, provided the highest weed-control efficiency (86.6%). Seed yield (8.5 q/ha), net returns (17.6×10³ /ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.73) were maximum in the raised-bed method of planting. The maximum seed yield (1.11 t/ha) was found in weed-free treatment, but net returns (27.2 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.33) were the maximum in treatment having post-emergence application of imazethapyr @ 100 g/ha.