Efficacy of chemical herbicides on weed management in onion (Allium cepa)

Weed management is one of the significant challenges of vegetable tuber crops since weeds pose a remarkable threat to crop productivity in South Asian countries, including India. An on-farm trial on efficacy of oxyflurofen and quizalofopethyl herbicides for weeds management in onion was under taken during rabi 2015–16, 2016-17and 2017–18 at farmers’ field of south-west district of Delhi. Among the respective herbicidal treatment combinations oxyfluorfen 35 g/ha + quizalofop ethyl 37.5g/ha foliar spray at 35 days after transplanting (DAT) recorded significantly lower weed density (39.66/m²), dry matter (42.22 g/m²) and higher weed control efficiency (77.61%) followed by farmers’ practice (pendimethalin 3.0 L/ha + one hand weeding). The application of oxyfluorfen 35 g/ha + quizalofop ethyl 37.5g/ha foliar spray at 35 DAT prove to be most productive and profitable weed control, which recorded significantly highest bulb yield (277.44q/ha), net return (Rs.1,71, 952/ha) and B: C ratio (3.77) followed by farmers’ practice bulb yield (252.22q/ha), net return (Rs.1,29,276/ha) and B: C ratio (3.01). The increased returns as a result of increased quality and bulb yield of onion with respective herbicides applications will result in more profitability of onion cultivation farmers.