Abstract

Perennial weeds like Cynodon dactylon L. is one of the most troublesome weeds in mulberry plantations. Any management practice apart from being effective should be economically more remunerative and environmentally safe. In mulberry plantations, of the total weed density, C. dactylon alone accounted for 38.89 percent. Among the various treatment combinations, the treatment comprising of hand weeding and intercropping with cowpea recorded the lowest weed density and dry weight and highest weed control efficiency. The total weed control efficiency ranged between 76.6% and 52.6% while the efficacy against C. dactylon ranged between 77.8% and 37.2%. The leguminous intercropping with cowpea had a significant and positive influence on weed control, mulberry growth and yield apart from enhanced bio chemical quality parameters.

Keywords: Mulberry, weed, Cynodon dactylon, glyphosate, soap solution, paraquat, coir pith mulching, cowpea intercropping