Vol. 11, Issue 9 (2022)

The present investigation entitled “Effect of herbicides on weed dynamics and profitability of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in Vertisols of Chhattisgarh" was carried out during rabi season of 2020-21 at the Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyala, Raipur (C.G.). The soil of the experimental field was neutral in reaction and had low nitrogen, medium phosphorus and high potassium contents. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of 15 different herbicide treatments viz. T₁ - Oxadiargyl 80 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS, T₂ - Metribuzin 350 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS, T₃ - Topramezone 19.35 g ha^-1 2-3 Leaf stage of weed, T₄ - Topramezone 25.8g ha^-1 2-3 Leaf stage of weed, T₅ - Topramezone 32.25 g ha^-1 2-3 Leaf stage of weed, T₆- Topramezone (directed application) 28.5 g ha^-1 5-6 Leaf stage of weed, T₇- Fluazifop-p-butyl 13.4% + fomesafen 11.1% 250 g ha^-1 2 to 3 leaf stage of weed, T₈ - Metribuzin fb Topramezone 350-25.8 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS & 2-3 Leaf stage of weed, T₉ - Metribuzin fb Metribuzin 350-350 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS & 5-6 Leaf stage of weed, T₁₀- Fluazifop-p-butyl 13.4% + Fomesafen 11.1% (directed application) 250 g ha^-1 5-6 Leaf stageweed, T₁₁- Sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargy l 8% (directed application) 187.5 g ha^-1 2 to 3 leaf stage of weed, T₁₂ - Metribuzin (directed application) 350 g ha^-1 2 to 3 leaf stage of weed, T₁₃ - Metsulfuron (directed application) 4 g ha^-1 2 to 3 leaf stage of weed, T₁₄ - Hand weeding twice 20 & 40 DAS, T₁₅ - Unweeded control. The lowest weed density, dry matter production of weeds and highest weed control efficiency (WCE) were recorded under hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, followed by Topramezone 32.25 g ha^-1 2-3 Leaf stage of weed (T₅).

The highest cultivation cost and gross monetary returns were noticed with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS. Maximum net returns and higher B: C ratio was noticed under Metribuzin fb Metribuzin 350-350 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS & 5-6 Leaf stage of weed (T₉) followed by Metribuzin 350 g ha^-1 0-3 DAS(T₂).