EFFECT OF CULTURAL AND CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL METHODS ON WEED POPULATION AND YIELD OF COTTON

Effect of cultural and chemical weed control methods on weed population and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivar “CIM-443 ” was studied under field conditions during 1999. Weed control treatments were: no weeding (control), two hoeings [(3 + 6 weeks after sowing (WAS)], one hoeing (3 WAS) + one earthing-up (6 WAS), S-metolachlor @ 2.4 kg a.i.ha-1, S-metolachlor @ 2.4 kg a.i.ha-1 + one hoeing (6WAS), S-metolachlor @ 2.4 kg a.i. ha-1 + one earthing-up (6WAS). All weed control treatments increased sympodial branches per plant, total number of bolls per plant, number of open bolls per plant, seed cotton yield and decreased weed biomass significantly over control. Maximum seed cotton yield (2207.77 kg ha-1) was obtained in S-metolachlor treated plots and minimum from weedy check (1377.77 kg ha-1). Different wee