Effect of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Green Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Weed infestation in chilli production, especially during early growth stages, is a major constraint leading to significant yield loss. Effective weed management during this critical phase is crucial for maximizing chilli crop productivity. Keeping this in view a field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Abhilashi University, Mandi (H.P) during the Kharif season of 2022-23. The main objective was to assess the impact of various integrated weed management strategies on the growth and yield of green chilli crops. The experiment consisted of seven treatments with control, laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment details viz., T1[Weedy check (Control)], T2(Weed free), T3[Hand weeding at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT)], T4[organic mulch (paddy straw)], T5 (Oxyfluorfen 1.0 kg/ha, T6 Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha) and T7 (Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha. + HW after 60 DAT). The results of the study revealed that the "Weed-free" treatment (T4) exhibited the highest plant height (80.35 cm), number of leaves per plant (120), number of fruits per plant (85) with an average weight of fruits per plant (276.74 g), dry weight of fruits per plant (33.21 g) and yield (7.56 kg/plot and 189.05 q/ha). The treatment "Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha + Hand weeding after 60 DAT" (T7) followed closely, recording the plant height (75.78 cm), number of leaves per plant (114.66), number of fruits per plant (82.33) with an average weight of fruits per plant (251.56 g), dry weight of fruits per plant (32.7 g) and yield (7.12 kg/plot and 178.08 q/ha). The "Weedy check" treatment (T1) required the longest duration for 50% flowering and the first and final harvest, with 76, 108 and 124 days, respectively. On the other hand, the "Weed-free" treatment (T2) required the shortest period, with 66, 93, and 106 days, respectively. Regarding weed-related parameters, the "Weedy check" treatment (T1) demonstrated the highest weed count (110), fresh weight of weeds (2160.03 g) and dry weight of weeds (388.81 g), while the "Weed-free" treatment (T2) exhibited the minimum weed count (0.00), fresh weight of weeds (0.00 g) and dry weight of weeds (0.00 g). The highest weed control efficiency (WCE) of 100% and the lowest weed index (0.00%) were observed in the "Weed-free" treatment (T2), whereas the lowest WCE (0.00%) and the highest weed index (69.69%) were recorded in the "Weedy check" treatment (T1). Economically, the combined treatment of "Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha with hand weeding after 60 DAT" (T7) resulted in the highest net return of 4,39,192.78 ₹/ha, followed by the "Weed-free" treatment (T2) with 4,35,207 ₹/ha. The lowest net return was observed in the "Weedy check" treatment (T1) with 62,117.28 ₹/ha.