Integrated weed management in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Abstract

             A study was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara to compare different weed management practices for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The treatments included pre emergent herbicides such as oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, imazethapyr and directed application of glyphosate, hoeing and earthing up, concurrent growing of cowpea and in situ green manuring and unweeded control. Higher tuber yields were obtained for the treatments hoeing and earthing up at 30 and 60 days after planting (31.20 t/ha), pendimethalin followed by earthing up at 60 days after planting (30.60 t/ha) and glyphosate followed by earthing up at 60 days after planting (28.40 t/ha). The herbicide oxyfluorfen could control 99 per cent of weeds at 30 days after planting. Pendimethalin followed by earthing up was more effective in suppressing weeds at later stages giving 94 per cent control of weeds at harvest. Weed control efficiency of all herbicidal treatments increased with a follow up earthing up. Weed index was lower in the treatments hoeing and earthing up, pendimethalin followed by earthing up and glyphosate followed by earthing up. The highest B:C ratio of 2.41 was achieved in pre emergent application of pendimethalin followed by earthing up.