Weed Management Studies in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik)

A field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 1994–95 and 1995–96. Melilotus indica followed by Chenopodium album was the dominant weed. Trifluralin and pendimethalin each at 1.5 kg and linuron at 1.0 and 1.5 kg/ha as soil application provided effective control of dominant weeds. Integration of Hnuron (0.75 kg) with one hand weeding at 45 days after sowing (DAS) proved more phytotoxic to weeds than herbicide application alone. Maximum seed yield of 1204 and 1304 kg/ha was obtained in weed free plots during 1994–95 and 1995–96, respectively. Season long weed competition caused 73 and 79% yield reduction compared to weed free treatment in both the seasons, respectively. Integration of 1.0 kg trifluralin or pendimethalin and linuron 0.75 kg/ha with one hand weeding at 45 DAS and linuron application alone at 1.0 and 1.5 kg/ha produced seed yield at par with weed free yield in both the seasons. Post-emergence application of linuron at 0.75 and 1.0 kg/ha proved phytotoxic to lentil.