Effect of weed management practices on yield, weed control efficiency, weed index and economics in summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was conducted during summer 2009 under irrigation on weed management practices in summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture and Zonal Agricultural Research Station farm, Shimoga, Karnataka, India. Recommend cultural practices recorded a higher pod yield (2880 kg ha^-1), which was statistically in par (p>0.05) with pre-emergence application of imazethapyr at 100 g a. i. ha^-1 (2791 kg ha^-1). Application of herbicides recorded a higher weed control efficiency compared to farmer’s practice and weedy check. Among the herbicides tested, the pre-emergence application of imazethapyr (100 g a.i. ha^-1) performed better than alachlor (2.0 kg a. i. ha^-1), metolachlor at 1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) and pendimethalin (1.0 kg a. i. ha^-1). Pre-emergence application of imazethapyr (100 g a. i. ha^-1) recorded a higher net returns (Indian 53,220 ha^-1) and a higher benefit:cost ratio (2.22) among the herbicide treatments.