Response of various weed management practices on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A study titled “Effect of weed management practices on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)” was led during the Rabi season of 2022–23 at the Instructional Farm-1, School of Agriculture, GIET University, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Gunupur, Odisha. The soil type of the research plot was sandy loam and soil pH was 6.4, organic carbon content of 5.2%, and available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), and potassium (K2O) levels of 120, 6.5, and 108.5 kg/ha, respectively. The design of experiment was RDB (randomized block design) with three replications and eight treatments. The results indicated that among the herbicide treatments, oxyfluorfen 23.5EC @0.05 kg/ha at 0-2DAS + one HW at 40DAS (T₅), showed the best performance in terms of higher growth parameters, reduced weed population, dry matter accumulation, and improved yield characteristics. This was closely followed by treatment T₄ (Pendimethalin 30EC @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha at 0-2 DAS + one HW at 40 DAS). Furthermore, T₅ (Oxyfluorfen 23.5EC @ 0.05 kg a.i./ha at 0-2 DAS) also achieved the highest B:C ratio, while the weedy check (T8) had the lowest. Therefore, the study concluded that the most effective weed control method in mustard was the application of oxyfluorfen 23.5EC @ 0.05 kg /ha at 0-2 DAS + one HW at 40 DAS (T5).