Evaluation of Herbicide Efficacy on Weed Dynamics and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2023-24 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the efficacy of different weed management treatments on weed suppression and chickpea productivity. The experiment, laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications, included chemical and manual weed control methods. Treatments included Imazethapyr @ 50 g/ha at 20 DAS, Propaquizafop + Imazethapyr @ 50 g/ha at 20 DAS, Sodium Acifluorfen + Clodinafop Propargyl @ 200 g/ha at 20 DAS, Fomesafen + Fluazifop-p-butyl @ 200 g/ha at 20 DAS, Bentazon @ 750 g/ha at 30 DAS, Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr @ 750 g/ha as pre-emergence, Pendimethalin @ 750 g/ha as pre-emergence, Sulfentrazone @ 75 g/ha as pre-emergence, a weed-free control, and a weedy check. The dominant weeds identified included Chenopodium murale, Chenopodium album, Rumex dentatus, and Cynodon dactylon, reflecting the diverse weed flora. Results showed that the weed-free control achieved the lowest weed density and dry matter, yielding 2033 kg/ha of seed, closely followed by Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr @ 750 g/ha as pre-emergence at 2010 kg/ha. The weedy check had the highest weed density and dry matter, resulting in the lowest yield (633 kg/ha). Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr demonstrated superior weed control efficiency, comparable to the weed-free treatment, and achieved the highest harvest index (38.1%).