Weed management using post-emergence herbicides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) + mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping system

A field study was conducted at Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur during winter season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 to study the weed control efficiency of different weed management practices including post-emergence herbicides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) + mustard (Brassicajuncea L.) intercropping system. Treatment comprised two different doses of quizalofop-ethyl, imazethapyr and chlorimuron-p-ethyl along with pendimethalin and manual weeding. Cyperus rotundus, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Polygonum plebejum and Phalaris minor were the dominant weeds. Cyperus rotundus was the most dominant weeds with highest relative density and relative dry weight. The toxic effect of imazethapyr and chlorimuron was recorded on both chickpea and mustard. Among herbicide treatments, significantly lowest weed density and weed dry weight and highest weed control efficiency, weed control index, nodule specific weight and plant dry matter were recorded in quizalofop-ethyl @60 g/ha. Similarly, higher chickpea and mustard yield, system productivity, net return and B/C ratio were recorded in quizalofop-ethyl @ 60 g/ha and manual weeding.