Evaluation of herbicide efficacy through weed indices in transplanted finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2023 at the Instructional Farm, D.K.S. College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. The experimental field was infested with a diverse weed flora comprising grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds. Weed control efficiency (WCE) and weed index (WI) were significantly influenced by different weed management practices. Among the treatments, sequential application of Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 15 g ha⁻¹ at 3 DAT followed by Penoxsulam methyl 20 g ha⁻¹ at 25 DAT recorded the highest WCE (62.6, 61.2 and 79.9% at 30, 60 and 90 DAT, respectively) and the lowest weed index (4.1%), which was at par with the weed-free treatment. Other sequential herbicide applications, viz., Pretilachlor 500 g ha⁻¹ at 3 DAT followed by Penoxsulam Methyl 20 g ha⁻¹ at 25 DAT and Bensulfuron ethyl + Pretilachlor (pre-mix) 60 + 600 g ha⁻¹ at 3 DAT followed by Penoxsulam methyl 20 g ha⁻¹ at 25 DAT, also recorded higher WCE and lower weed index compared to sole herbicide applications. The weedy check recorded the highest weed index (45.1%), indicating substantial yield loss due to severe crop–weed competition.
Authors: Panch Ram Mirjha, Swati Thakur
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7140163006