Integrated weed management studies in sugarcane ratoon

A field experiment was conducted at GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) to study the effect of different weed management practices on sugarcane ratoon. The soil of the experimental field was clay loam in texture, medium in organic carbon (0.64 %), available phosphorus (26.5 kg P/ha) and potassium (240.3 kg K/ha) with P^H 7.3. Experiment consisted of eight treatments was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. In the experimental field, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa spp., Ipomoea spp., Cyperus rotundu and Parthenium hysterophorus were major weeds in both the years. Other weeds were Brachiaria mutica, Euphorbia hirta, Cleome viscosa, Phyllanthus niruri, Cannabis sativa, Lippia graveolens, Trichosanthes cucumerina and Physalis minima. Lowest density as well as dry weight of total weeds were recorded with hand weeding thrice at 30, 60 and 90 days after ratoon (DAR) of main crop which was at par with metribuzin 0.88 kg/ha at 3 DAR followed by fb) one hoeing at 45 DAR followed by (fb) 2,4-D (Na Salt) 0.75 kg/ha at 2–4 leaf stage of broad-leaved weeds fb pre-emergence application of atrazine 1.5 kg/ha at 3 days after ratooning (DAR) fb 2,4-D (Na salt) 0.75 kg/ha at 2–4 leaf stage of broad-leaved weeds. The highest cane yield was recorded with the execution of three hand weedings at 30, 60 and 90 DAR treatment which was closely fb metribuzin at 0.88 kg/ha at 3 DAR fb one hoeing at 45 DAR fb 2,4-D (Na salt) 0.75kg/ha at 2–4 leaf stage of weeds.