Effect of Weed Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Quality of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of weed management practices on growth, yield and quality of okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)” was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during kharif season 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven different treatments viz. T1 = Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml /L, T2= Post emergence application of Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg/ha ,T3 = Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS , T4 =  Post emergence application of Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS  +  one hand weeding ,  T5 = Pendimethalin @ 6 ml /L as pre-emergence + Quizalofop-ethyl @ 0.040 kg ha-1 at 25 DAS , T6 = Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS , T7 = weed check control replicated thrice.  The result of the study revealed that at 30 DAS maximum plant height (30.96cm) was reported in treatment T3 : Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 days of sowing whereas at  60 and 90 DAS maximum plant height (75.50 and 113.53 cm)  was reported in T6 : Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum number of branches per plant (4.60)at 60 DAS was found in T3 : Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS  and 90 DAS maximum number of branches per plant (5.86) was reported in T6 : Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum number of nodes (17.83 ) at 60 days after sowing was noticed in treatment T3 = Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin @ 6 ml/L + one hand weeding at 40 DAS and 90 Days after of sowing maximum number of  nodes () was in treatment T6 = Weed free check (Three hand weeding) 20, 40 and 60 DAS. Maximum Pod diameter( 1.74cm) ,  fruit weight (12.88gm ), pod  length( 14.1cm) ,  number of pods per  plant( 25.66 ) , pod yield per plant ( 304.73gm) , pod yield per hectare (16.91  t), TSS( 3.2 Brix),  crude fibre (8.46%)  and cholorophyll content (1.18 mg) and relative cholorophyll content (54.39) .