Response of Herbicide and Post Emergence Herbicide Applicator on Growth and Root Parameters of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Sofiya Parveen
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Aakash *
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Aakansha
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Divya Chauhan
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Pushpendera Singh
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Rohit Kumar
Department of Agronomy, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur – 246761, Bijnor (Affiliated to M. J. P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, NAAC A++), India.
Zubairya Parveen
Department of Agronomy, IFTM Univesity, Moradabad - 244102, U.P., India.
Jyotsna Setty
Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005, U.P., India.
Amit Solanki
Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi -221005, U.P., India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Chickpea is a major pulse crop in India, but its productivity is hampered by severe weed infestation during the early growth stages. Manual weeding, though traditional, is labor-intensive, uneconomical, and often delayed, highlighting the need for effective chemical and mechanical solutions. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–25 at the Agronomy Farm, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur (Bijnor), to assess the impact of herbicide and herbicides applicator on chickpea growth and root parameters. The trial followed a randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications, integrating pre- and post-emergence herbicides with and without mechanical applicator. Results showed significant differences in weed control efficiency, growth attributes, and yield. The weed-free treatment (T6) recorded the superior growth parameters. Among herbicidal options, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1 kg a.i. ha-1 fb imazethapyr @ 60 g a.i. ha⁻¹ applied with an inter-row applicator achieved maximum plant height, number of branches, root dry and fresh weight. Overall, integrating herbicide application with a mechanical applicator proved cost-effective, and sustainable for chickpea weed management.
Keywords: Imazethapyr, pendimethalin, chickpea, inter-row applicator, weed management