Growth and Yield of Rabi Sesame as Influenced by Weed Management Practices

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–25 on sandy loam soils at the S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati which is geographically situated at 13.5°N latitude and 79.5°E longitude. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications, comprising ten weed management treatments. Among the various weed management practices evaluated, hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) were found to be superior and statistically at par with the pre-emergence application of pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 125 g ha⁻¹ followed by post-emergence application of quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 50 g ha⁻¹ at 20 DAS. These treatments recorded higher values of plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation at all stages of observation, along with enhanced seed and stalk yields. In contrast, the weedy check treatment registered the lowest growth parameters and yield, indicating the detrimental impact of uncontrolled weed competition on crop performance.