Efficacy of imazethapyr at variable rates on weed flora and productivity of Soybean (Glycine max) under different land configurations

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif-2020 at Agronomy Research Farm, FoA, Wadura, Sopore, SKUAST-K in split plot design having two land configurations viz; Flat bed sowing (L1) and ridge sowing (L2) as main plot treatments and seven weed management practices viz., Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 70 g a.i ha⁻¹ at 30 DAS (W1), Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 90 g a.i. ha⁻¹ at 30 DAS (W2), Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 110 g a.i ha⁻¹ at 30 DAS(W3), Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 130 g a.i ha⁻¹ at 30 DAS (W4), Two hand weedings at 20 & 40 DAS (W5), Weedy check (W6) and Weed free (W7) as sub plot treatments. The data revealed that the two land configurations were at par with each other with respect to growth parameters, yield characteristics, weed density and weed dry matter. Among different doses of imazethapyr, application of imazethapyr @ 110 g a.i. ha⁻¹ provided excellent control of weed species (both grasses as well as BLW's) which resulted in a significant increase in growth and yield parameters over rest of the doses. Highest B:C ratio of 2.5 was obtained with the application of imazethapyr 10% SL @ 110 g a.i ha⁻¹ (W3) when sown on flatbeds.