Integrated Weed Management in Gardenpea under Mid-hills of North-west Himalayas

Field experiments were conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 1996–97 and 1997–98 to evaluate the relative efficacy of fluchloralin, alachlor, pendimethalin and oxyfluorfen alone or in combination with HW 45 DAS against weeds and gardenpea. Season long crop-weed competition reduced the green pod yield by 44.6–55.6% as compared to repeated weeding. All the weed control treatments resulted in significantly higher green pod yield over weedy check due to significant reduction in the density and dry weight of weeds in both the years. Pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha followed by HW 45 DAS yielded as good as repeated weeding and gave maximum additional net returns over weedy check (Rs. 40708/ha). Highest plant height, pods/plant, grains/pod, pod length, pod weight/plant and shelling percentage were recorded under repeated weeding closely followed by pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha+HW 45 DAS. Herbicides alone increased green pod yields by 55.9–75.9% over weedy check. Inclusion of HW 45 DAS with herbicides alone led to further enhancement in green pod yield by 11.2 to 21.9% over herbicide alone treatments.