Evaluation of weed management practices on growth and fruit yield of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

AbstractA field experiment was carried with an objective to evaluate different weed management treatments and identify weed management treatments that effectively manages weeds and increases the growth and fruit yield of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). It was conducted at Central Block, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu during Kharif and rabi seasons of the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Tested pre- and post-emergence herbicides in pomegranate were applied before the onset of South West monsoon and North East monsoon in Kharif and Rabi seasons respectively. Pre-emergence application (PE) of indaziflam 500 SC (indaziflam) 62.5 g/ha recorded significantly lower weeds density and biomass at 90 days after herbicide application (DAA) during both the seasons. Higher weed density was recorded in untreated control at all stages of crop growth during both the seasons. Indaziflam 62.5 g/ha recorded significantly lower weed biomass at 90 DAA. Next in effectiveness to manage weeds was indaziflam 50 g/ha during both the seasons and it resulted in higher weed control efficiency at all stages. There was no phytotoxicity due to indaziflam on pomegranate. Significantly higher pomegranate fruit yield was recorded with hand weeding during both Kharif and Rabi seasons and it was closely followed by indaziflam 62.5 g/ha. Indaziflam 62.5 g/ha recorded significantly higher fruit yield than the standard check of oxyfluorfen 940 g/ha during both the seasons.