Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
S Rathika, A Udhaya, T Ramesh and P Shanmugapriya

Abstract:
Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is one of the most important pulse crops. Green gram can be grown in all the seasons of the year viz., kharif, rabi and summer. Green gram production requires a lot of labour, particularly for weed management practices. Weed spectrum depends on the efficiency of the green gram ecosystem and control measures adopted. The most possible way for controlling weeds is by manipulating the cropping system and making conditions more favourable for crop growth and unfavourable for weed growth. Weeds belonging to various groups viz., grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds (BLW) were associated in green gram cultivation. Severe infestation of weeds causes about 30 to 80 per cent of yield loss in green gram. Weed management strategies viz., preventive, cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological methods have to be followed judiciously to reduce the weed problem in green gram. The common weed control method used is the hand weeding which is time consuming and also difficult to control weeds. Combination of pre and post emergence herbicides or some ready-mix herbicide formulations reduces the crop weed competition and effectively manages the weed flora in green gram. One such example is application of PE Pendimethalin+ Imazethapyr 1 kg/ha fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl+ Fomesafen 313 g/ha recorded the lowest total weed density, total weed dry weight, higher weed control efficiency, grain and haulm yields of green gram.