Pre- and post-emergence herbicidal effect on weeds, fodder yield and quality of berseem in lowland region of Western Himalayas

A field experiment was carried out during winter seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 at GB. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to study the effect of pre- and post- emergence herbicides on weeds, fodder yield and quality of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The experimental results indicated that pre emergence application of pendimethalin (1000 g/ha) followed by imazethapyr (100 g/ha) just after 1^st cut produced significantly higher green and dry fodder yields, crude protein and net returns but alone application of pendimethalin at 1000 g/ha had the highest B:C ratio. The pooled values indicated that the lowest weed population was observed at application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr (1666 + 100 g/ha). The fresh and dry weight of weeds were recorded significantly lower under oxyflourfen + imazethapyr at 425 + 100 g/ha (just after 1^st cut) in both the years, while pooled weed control efficiency was found significantly highest under oxyflourfen + imazethapyr at 425 + 100 g/ha (just after I^st cut). It is therefore, concluded that the application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr at 1000 + 100 g/ha may be recommended for effective weed control as well as higher fodder yield, its quality and net profit in berseem growing areas of lowland (Tarai) region of Western Himalayas.