Author(s): B. S. GOHIL, R. K. MATHUKIA, V. K. DOBARIYA AND S. K. CHHODAVADIA

Abstract: An experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2011-12 at Junagadh to find out most suitable and economically viable method of weed control in rabi fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). The dominant weed species observed were Cyperus rotundus L., Chenopodium album L., Digera arvensis Forsk and Asphodelus tenuifolius L. Cav. Results revealed that besides weed free treatment, significantly higher plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of umbels plant-1, number of seeds umbellate-1, test weight, seed weight per plant, and seed and stover yields of fennel were recorded with pre-emergence (PRE) application of pendimethalin at 0.90 kg ha-1 + post-emergence (POE) application of fenoxaprop-ethyl at 75 g ha-1 at 45 DAS which was at par with PRE application of pendimethalin at 0.90 kg/ha + hand weeding (HW) at 45 DAS and HW twice at 15 and 45 DAS. These treatments also recorded lower weed density and dry weight of weeds along with highest net returns (Rs 81993 and Rs 81442 ha-1) and B:C ratio owing to lower weed index and higher weed control efficiency. However, the highest depletion of weed seedbank was observed with PRE application of pendimethalin at 0.90 kg ha-1 + HW at 45 DAS.

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