Seed yield and quality as affected by weed management practices in bitter gourd

Abstract

Effect of weed management practices on seed yield and quality of bitter gourd var. Preethi was studied during 2016-17. The results showed that highest seed yield (0.73t/ha) was recorded in the treatment Pendimethalin @0.75 a.i. /ha plus one hand weeding at 40 DAS followed by mulching using black polythene (0.65t/ha) which were on par. The lowest seed yield (0.18t/ha) was in weedy check. Weed control efficiency was highest (100%) in mulching with black polythene followed by application of pendimethalin +one hand weeding at 40DAS (97.97). Seed quality in terms of percentage germination (82.52) , vigour index I(1924.15) and Vigour index II ( 27.24) were significantly superior in mulching with black polythene and was on par with weed free check and application of Pendimenthalin + one hand weeding at 40 DAS. Highest seedling length (26.10cm) and seedling fresh weight (2.45g) were also recorded in the same treatment. However, there was no significant difference between treatments for seedling dry weight.

Keywords

• Bitter gourd
• weed,
• seed quality
• seed yield
• germination,
• vigour index