Integrated weed management in mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

A Field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018, 2019 and 2020 to evaluate chemical, mechanical, cultural practices and their integration for weed management in mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) under AINP on Jute and Allied Fibres, ARS, Amadalavalasa, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment consisted ten treatments with three replications. The pooled analysis indicated high WCE at 15 days after emergence (DAE) (91%) and 35 DAE (98%), fibre yield (2.08 t/ha), net returns ( 40131/ha), B:C (2.44) with pre-emergence application (PE) of pretilachlor 900 g/ha within 48 hrs of sowing with sufficient rain or irrigation followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) at 15 days after emergence (DAE). However, the post-emergence application (PoE) of quizalofop-ethyl 60 g/ha + ethoxysulfuron 50 g/ha at 15 DAE fb hand weeding at 30 DAE recorded higher WCE at 35 DAE (99.9%), and 45 DAE (84%), weed management index (5.16), herbicide efficiency index (330.3), integrated weed management index (4.66) and on par fibre yield (1.79 t/ha), net returns (₹ 33181/ha) and B:C (2.24) with that of pretilachlor 50 EC 900 g/ha + HW at 15 DAE. Thus, farmers may use pretilachlor 900 g/ha within 48 hrs of sowing with sufficient rain or irrigation fb HW at 15 DAE or quizalofop-ethyl 60 g/ha + ethoxysulfuron 50 g/ha PoE at 15 DAE + HW at 30 DAE for effective and economic weed management and obtaining higher mesta fibre yield.