Assessment of weed control efficiency, weed index, weed persistence index and growth response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under integrated weed management practices

The present study was conducted during 2024-25 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate Integrated Weed Management (INM) practices in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The experiment, laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, included ten weed management treatments: T₁-Weedy check (unweeded control), T₂-Weed-free condition maintained throughout the crop growth period, T₃ -Application of Pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ as pre-emergence (PE), T₄-Pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) followed by one hoeing at 30 days after sowing (DAS), T₅- Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC @ 0.120 kg ha⁻¹ (PE), T₆-Propaquizafop 10% EC @ 0.075 kg ha⁻¹ as post-emergence (PoE) at 30 DAS, T₇-Oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC @ 0.120 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) + one hoeing at 30 DAS, T₈-Pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) + Propaquizafop 10% EC @ 0.075 kg ha⁻¹ (PoE) at 30 DAS, T₉-Quizalfop-p-ethyl 5% EC @ 0.050 kg ha⁻¹ (PoE) at 30 DAS, and T₁₀-Pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) + Quizalfop-p-ethyl 5% EC @ 0.050 kg ha⁻¹ (PoE) at 30 DAS. The study revealed that weed free (T₂) and pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) + one hoeing at 30 DAS (T₄) produced significantly higher plant height, number of branches per plant and dry matter accumulation and was at par with oxyfluorfen 23% EC @ 0.120 kg ha⁻¹ (PE) + one hoeing at 30 DAS (T₇) by effectively reducing weed population and dry weight. The weedy check consistently recorded the highest weed infestation, lowest weed control efficiency and higher weed index and weed persistence index. Whereas, Integrated weed management did not significantly affect plant stand.