Efficacy of pre and post emergence application of imazethapyr and its ready mix herbicides on growth, weed dynamics and productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Weeds are major constraints in chickpea production. This crop is highly susceptible to weed competition owing to slow initial growth thus weeds cause up to 75% yield loss.

Treatments comprised of imazethapyr 50 g/ha as PE (pre emergence), imazethapyr 70 g/ha as PE, imazethapyr 50 g/ha as PoE (post emergence), imazethapyr 70g/ha as PoE, imazethapyr + imazamox ready mix (RM) 50 g/ha as PE, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha as PE, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 50 g/ha as PoE, imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 70 g/ha as PoE, pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE, imazethapyr + pendimethalin (RM) 1 kg/ha PE, hoeing at 20 and 40 DAS and weedy check.

Application of imazethapyr + pendimethalin (RM) 1 kg/ha as pre emergence recorded maximum plant dry matter accumulation at 60, 90, 120 DAS and at maturity stage and also higher CGR at 60-90, 90-120 and120 DAS - maturity of crop. Application of imazethapyr + pendimethalin (RM) 1 kg/ha as pre emergence was most effective in producing higher seed yield (1749 kg/ha), weed control efficiency (87.28%), net return (? 77,136), reduced weed management index 5.15 and 3.90 at 30 and 60 DAS respectively.