Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
G Darshan Balaji, A Jaya Jasmine, D Rajakumar, M Mohanalakshmi and G Ashok Kumar

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to study the impact of varying herbicide dosages and intercropping on weed density and biomass in rubber plantation. Weed-free plots exhibited the lowest weed density and biomass throughout the experiment. Among herbicide treatments, Diuron at 3200 a.i. per ha displayed the best weed control, closely followed by Diuron at 1600 a.i. per ha. However, manual hand weeding at monthly intervals proved most effective in weed suppression, despite being less economically viable due to higher labour costs. Diuron at 3200 a.i. per ha emerged as the most effective herbicide in weed management, primarily due to its pre-emergent control of a broad spectrum of weeds. Intercropping, particularly with cowpea, coriander and fenugreek, also influenced weed density and biomass. Lower weed density and biomass were observed in cowpea intercropped plots, with strong suppression of weed growth during specific growth stages over the entire crop growth period.