Effect of Different Weed Control Practices on Weed Dynamics, Crop Growth and Fibre Yield of White Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.)

Weed infestation constrains white jute production, while repeated manual weeding increases cultivation costs. A two-year field experiment was conducted at Jute Research Station, Kendrapara, during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of chemical, mechanical and manual weed management practices in white jute (Corchorus capsularis L.). Seven weed management treatments were evaluated using the variety JRC-698 (Shrabanti White) in a randomised block design, replicated thrice. The treatments comprised pre-emergence application of pretilachlor and pendimethalin, each followed by one hand weeding at 15 days after sowing (DAS); post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl and propaquizafop, each followed by one hand weeding 15 days after herbicide application; a mechanochemical approach involving nail weeder operation at 7 DAS followed by post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 25 DAS; two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS; and an unweeded control. Among the different treatments evaluated, two hand weedings produced in the highest fibre yield, weed control efficiency, crop resistance index, and weed control index, along with the lowest weed index. The mechanochemical approach with nail weeder operation during the early stages of crop growth, followed by the post-emergence application of quizalofop-ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 25 DAS, ranked next and generated a net return of ₹66,415/ha with a benefit–cost ratio of 2.3. Therefore, integrating mechanical weeding with post-emergence herbicide application provides a promising and cost-effective alternative for effective weed management in white jute.