Effect of weed management practices on growth, yield and quality of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season to evaluate the effect of various weed management practices on weed dynamics, crop growth, yield, nutrient uptake, oil content, and profitability in Ind ian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Eleven treatments comprising pre emergence (PE), post-emergence (PoE) herbicides, manual weeding, and integrated methods were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The untreated control [T₁: Weedy check] recorded the highest weed density (34.81 monocots and 45.67 dicots m⁻² at 30 DAS; 46.91 total at harvest) and dry matter (38.62 g/m²), resulting in the lowest yield (935 kg/ha), oil content (38.35%), and negative net return (-₹4,626/ha; B:C = 0.91). The weed-free plot [T₂: Manual weeding throughout] had zero weed density, lowest weed biomass (2.70 g/m²), and highest yield (1716 kg/ha) and oil content (39.80%), but showed a moderate return (₹19,511/ha; B:C = 1.44) due to high labor cost. Integrated weed management (IWM) treatments outperformed others. [T₅: Pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha PE + one hand weeding] showed excellent weed suppression (6.98 m⁻²), high yield (1707 kg/ha), oil co ntent (39.71%), and nutrient uptake (N: 147.6, P: 28.9, K: 106.2 kg/ha). [T₇: Oxadiargyl 0.75 kg/ha PE + one hand weeding] yielded 1660 kg/ha with the highest net return (₹50,020/ha; B:C = 3.05). [T₆: Oxadiargyl PE] also performed well (1593 kg/ha; ₹49,520/ha). Thus, IWM strategies, especially [T₅] and [T₇], ensured optimal weed control, productivity, and profitability in mustard.