Growth and yield of irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) as influenced by different chemical and non-chemical weed-management practices

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during the winter seasons (August to January) of 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, to develop efficient chemical and non-chemical weed-management practices for 'MCU 5' irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Pre-emergence application of Cinmethylin at 0.6 kg/ha followed by hand-weeding 40 days after sowing gave excellent control of grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds, whereas the yield of seed cotton was reduced by initial phytotoxicity to cotton crop. However, Cinmethylin at 0.5 kg/ha + hand-weeding at 40 days after sowing increased the growth, yield parameters and seed-cotton yield of 1,878 and 1,781 kg/ha. Among the non-chemical weed-management practices, growing of greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] as smother crop effectively suppressed total weed population and enhanced growth, yield parameters and seed-cotton yield.