Effect of weeds control measures on weeds and yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum L.]

A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Agricultural Research Station, S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan during rainy (Kharif) season 2018 to identify effective weed control measures to manage weeds and increase yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum L.]. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design having 12 treatments with three replications. The pre-emergence application (PE) of atrazine 0.5 kg/ha was significantly superior in reducing weed density and biomass of both broad-leaved and grassy weeds. Weed free, atrazine 0.5 kg/ha PE and post-emergence application (PoE) of 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha at 30 days after seeding (DAS), hand hoeing twice at 20 and 40 DAS and hand wheel hoeing twice at 20 and 40 DAS registered 2.48, 2.42, 2.39, 2.33 and 2.28 t/ha seed yield, respectively as against 1.31 t/ha seed yield in weedy check. The maximum gross returns of ₹ 86360/ha was recorded under weed free treatment while highest B:C ratio was recorded with 2,4-D 0.5 kg/ha PoE at 30 DAS (3.17), which was closely followed by atrazine 0.5 kg/ha PE (3.16).