Effect of Date of Sowing and Weed Management Practices on Productivity of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Experiment was carried out under heavy black clay soil (Vertisol) at college farm, N.M. college of Agriculture, Navsari Agriultural University, Navsari during two successive summer seasons of 2011–12 and 2012–13 to study the effect of dates of sowing and weed management practices on weed flora and productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). Weed density and biomass was significantly lower with crop sown on 3^rd week of February (16^th Feb.). Significantly higher grain (1027 kg/ha) and stover (2249 kg/ha) yield with net returns of Rs. 15, 163/ha and benefit cost ratio of 1.89 was produced with crop sowing on 1^st week of March (2^nd March). Significantly lowest weed biomass was recorded in twohand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS while, highest grain (1131.12 kg/ha) and fodder (2606.11 kg/ha) yield recorded in weed free up to harvest and remained at par with two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS. Two hand weeding at 20 and 40 days after sowing was remunerative with higher net return (Rs. 19120/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.28).