Effect of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Yield, Yield Attributes and Economics of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum Moench) under Rainfed Conditions in Terai Region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Instructional Farm of UBKV, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India during the rabi seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-2011 to study the effect of integrated weed management practices on yield, yield attributes and economics of lesser known pseudo-cereal, buckwheat. Among the herbicidal treatments, pre-emergence (PE) application of Fluchloralin @ 2.22 l ha-1 + one hand weeding (HW) at 35 DAS and PE application of Fluchloralin @ 2.22 l ha-1 + post-emergence (PoE) application of Glyphosate @ 2.50 l ha-1, PE application of Fluchloralin @ 2.22 l ha-1 and PoE application of Glyphosate @ 2.5 ha-1 each when applied alone, performed better in reducing weed density, dry weight of weeds through out the growing period resulted in higher yield attributing characters and ultimately higher weed control efficiency over control. Two hand weeding (HW) at 20 and 35 days after sowing (DAS) resulted in maximum reduction in weed density and dry weight and recorded the highest yield attributes, seed yield and benefit:cost ratio which was at par with PE application of fluchloralin integrated with one HW at 35 DAS, PE application of fluchloralin combine with PoE application of Glyphosate and hoeing twice at 20 and 35 DAS.