Effect of Time of Weeding on Growth and Seed Yield of Okra

In a field trial conducted at the Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar during the Kharif season of 1976 and 1977 one hand weeding given at 2 to 12 weeks after sowing was compared with no weeding and weed free control in seed crop of okra. At 8-week stage of the crop the weed population was maximum, whereas the dry weight of weeds per unit area was maximum at 10 weeks after sowing. However, the most critical period for crop-weed competition fell between 2 to 6-week stage of the crop.

In unweeded plots the seed yield of okra was reduced by as much as 52.0% in 1976 and 79.5% in 1977 as compared to weed free plots. Where only one weeding was done, weeding at 2 weeks after sowing was found most useful, which gave 81.9 ond 77.2% seed yield of weed free control in 1976 and 1977 respectively. With the delay in weeding beyond 2-week stage the seed yield of okra decreased, and one weeding done at 6-week stage of the crop or thereafter did not bring about any significant increase in the seed yield over no weeding.