Effect of different weed interference period on growth and yield performance of upland cotton varieties

This study investigates the impact of weed interference periods on the growth and yield of cotton, emphasizing the critical weed control period (CPWC) for effective management strategies. Conducted over two growing seasons, the experiment utilized three cotton varieties (CB-15, CB-hybrid-1, and Rupali-1) under varying weed interference durations. Treatments included season-long weed-free conditions and periods of weed interference starting at different growth stages. Results indicated that all varieties exhibited the highest seed cotton yield in continuous weed-free conditions, with Rupali-1 achieving optimal yield when maintained weed-free up to 60 days after sowing (DAS). Total dry weed weight increased with prolonged interference, adversely affecting cotton growth and height. Conversely, longer weed-free periods led to significant increases in above-ground biomass and overall plant height. The findings demonstrate that effective weed management, particularly during the early growth stages, is crucial for maximizing cotton yield. The CPWC was identified as essential for optimizing herbicide use and implementing alternative weed management strategies. The study concludes that keeping the cotton field weed-free up to 60 DAS was found necessary to get highest yield which is similar to season long weed-free condition. Removing weeds after 60 DAS brings no advantage in terms of cotton yield.