Abstract

                                A field experiment was conducted at Eastern Block Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to evaluate the weed dynamics, fruit yield and economics as influenced by different weed management practices on organic bhendi during kharif 2017. The treatment consists of Stale Seed Bed (SSB) technique with 25 per cent reduced spacing along with mulching of crop residues @ 5 t ha-1, weeds as mulch @ 5 t ha-1, incorporation of de-oiled neem cake @ 2.5 t ha-1, deep ploughing and mulching with mango leaves @ 5 t ha-1, multi-varietal seed technique, intercropping with cowpea, hand weeding twice, one hand weeding along with 25 per cent aqueous eucalyptus leaf extract spray as post emergence on 30 DAS and unweeded control. SSB technique with 25 per cent reduced spacing along with mulching of crop residues @ 5 t ha-1 was very effective in controlling weeds and recorded lower weed density, weed dry weight and higher fruit yield (29.7 t ha-1). It was followed by intercropping with cowpea and in-situ incorporation on 45 DAS and locally available weeds as mulch @ 5 t ha-1 along with one hand weeding on 45 DAS.

Key words : Organic bhendi, Weed management, Stale seed bed, Weed density and Dry weight.