Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Dhivya S, Kalpana R, Murali Arthanari P and Senthil A

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out at Eastern block Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the effect of different non-chemical weed management practices on weed dynamics and fresh fruit yield of organic okra during the summer season of 2021. Treatments included of three different intercropping (sunnhemp, dhaincha, cowpea and four different organic mulches (paddy straw, corn cob and husk, sugarcane trash and groundnut shell) were compared with hand weeding and weedy check. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments were replicated thrice. The study revealed that among the mulching and intercropping practices mulching with sugarcane trash @ 5t/ha with one hand weeding on 20 days after sowing was very effective in controlling weeds and recorded the lowest weed density, weed dry weight, weed index and higher weed control efficiency (86.15%) at critical crop weed competition period with higher fruit yield (19.75 t/ha). It was followed by mulching with paddy straw @ 5t/ha with one hand weeding on 20 days after sowing. Mulching and intercropping recorded lower weed density and dry weight, weed index and higher weed control efficiency compared to the weedy check.