Effect of Sowing Methods and Sequential Application of Herbicides on Crop Growth, Nodulation, Weed Growth and Economics of Chickpea

Chickpea is highly sensitive crop to weed competition as early stage of growth. A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2013-14 to 2015-16to know the response of application of sequential application of herbicides under different sowing methods. Results revealed that chickpea sowing in reduced tillage performed better and produced higher number of pods per plant, seed yield and protein yield over conventional tillage. In weed management treatment, sequential application of pendimethalin@0.75 kg a.i./ha pre-em followed by imezethapyr @40 g a.i./ha post-em improve the crop growth and produced higher seed yield (1515 kg/ha) and protein yield. Total weed density and weed dry weight were recorded minimum under reduced tillage at both 30 and 60 days after sowing. Application of pendimethalin @0.75 kg a.i./ha pre-emfollowed by imezethapyr @40 g a.i./ha post-em reduced the total weed density and weed dry weight over other treatments and recorded minimum. Weed control efficiency recorded higher with conventional tillage (70.04%) and closely followed by reduced tillage (70.81%). Pendimethalin@0.75kg a.i./ha pre-emfbimazethapyr @ 40 g a.i./ha recorded highest weed control efficiency (92.93%) followed by pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i./ha fbquizalofop ethyl 50 g a.i./ha (85.41%) and pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha (73.78). Net return of Rs 42265and benefit cost ratio of 1.55 were also recorded higher under reduced tillage. Among weed management pendimethalin1.0 kg a.i./ha pre-em followed by imezethapyr @50 g a/i/ha post-em recorded higher net return (Rs 48782) and benefit cost ratio (1.81).