Abstract

M. S. Deshmukh, V. D. Patil, A. S. Jadhav G. D. Gadade and A.L. Dhamak

The present study pertains to the effect of different herbicides viz. Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ai ha-1 as a pre emergence herbicide, Pyrithiobacksodium @ 62.5 g ai ha-1 , Quazolfopethyl @ 40 g ai ha-1 , Fenoxyprop @ 12 g ai ha-1 as a post emergence herbicide (25 DAS) and management practices on physico-chemical, biological properties, seed cotton, dry matter yield and soil fertility status. The results revealed that organic carbon content (8.0 g kg-1 ), soil porosity (48 per cent) and cation exchange capacity (63.66 cmol (p+ ) kg-1 ) was significantly higher in the plots treated with 3 hoeings and 3 hand weedings as compared to all other herbicide treatments applied as a pre and post emergence. Almost similar trend was observed in the seed cotton yield (1868 kg ha-1 ), dry matter yield (2835 kg ha-1 ), available N (184.90 kg ha-1 ), available P (11.70 kg ha-1 ) and available K (666.20 kg ha-1 ). The practice of 3 hoeing and 3 hand weedings showed the highest efficiency in weed control and thus reflected in higher yields when maintaining soil fertility status.