Productivity and economics of soybean (Glycine max) as influenced by weed management practices under rainfed situations of south-eastern Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 on clay loam soil of Bundi to evaluate performance of soybean genotypes. Two hand-weeding at 20 and 35 DAS recorded significantly higher filled pods/plant(41.90), seeds/pod(3.33), seed index(12.20 g), seed yield(14.85 q/ha) and return(Rs 24,460/ha) over farmer's practice followed by 1 kulpa at 20 DAS + 1 HWat35 DAS and application of Imazethapyr 75 g/ha at 15 DAS + 1HW at 35 DAS. The highest benefit: cost ratio (1.72) was obtained with 1 kulpa at 20 DAS+ 1HW at 35 DAS. Significantly lower weed density (40.70/m²), weed dry weight (366.30 kg/ha) at harvest and highest weed control efficiency (56.78%) were obtained with use of Imazethapyr 75 g/ha at 15 DAS + 1HW at 35 DAS over rest of treatment. Among soybean genotype, JS-95-60 significantly gave higher seeds/pod (3.38), 100-seed weight (13.25 g), seed yield (15.90 q/ha), return (Rs 26,140/ha) and B: C ratio (2.12) over farmer's practice and was on par with JS-93-05. Hence, it is concluded that soybean genotype JS-95-60 with use of either one kulpa at 20 DAS+ 1HW at 35 DAS or two HW at 20 and 35 DAS provide higher yield and benefit under rain fed situations.