Background: Groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is known as the “King of Oilseeds” which belongs to family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It is highly susceptible to weed infestation because of its slow initial growth up to 40 DAS and small foliage cover. However, study on use of mechanical weed control methods with different fertility regimes for improving the productivity of groundnut was limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find a suitable method for optimising the productivity of groundnut. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar for two consecutive years of 2020 and 2021. The field experiment comprised 16 treatment combinations of four weed management practices and four fertility levels. The weed management practice included W1-Pre-emergence (PE) application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha-1, W2-Pre-emergence (PE) application of pretilachlor @ 0.5 kg ha-1, W3-Manual weeding (20 and 40 DAS), W4-Twin wheel hoe at 20 DAS followed by (fb) hand weeding at 40 DAS and four fertility levels includes T1-100% RDF (20:40:40) (N: P205: K2O kg ha-1), T2- 75% RDF + 5 tonnes FYM ha-1, T3- 50% RDF + 10 tonnes FYM ha-1, T4- without fertilizer + without FYM. Result: Amongst the weed management practices, use of twin wheel hoe at 20 DAS followed by hand weeding at 40 DAS significantly reduced the weed density, weed dry weight, weed index and recorded the highest weed control efficiency (69.8%). Highest weed index (32.9) was recorded with the application of pretilachlor @ 0.5 kg ha-1 (PE), which was followed by weed index of (28.5) with application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha-1 (PE). The fertilizer management practice with application of 50% RDF + 10 tonnes FYM ha-1 gave the highest yield and considerably reduced the total weed density, weed dry weight and recorded the maximum weed control efficiency (71.8 % at harvest). We suggest that weed management with twin wheel hoe at 20 DAS followed by hand weeding at 40 DAS along with application of 50% RDF + 10 tonnes FYM ha-1 as the most effective strategy for controlling the weed menace in groundnut with the highest weed control efficiency.

Background: The presence of weeds in cowpea reduced the yield to the tune of 60-82% depending on the weed flora and density. The critical period of weed competition in cowpea was 20-25 DAS. Therefore it is essential to control weeds effectively to harness the maximum yield potential of the crop. To manage weeds in cowpea it is also important to determine the efficacy of pre and post-emergence herbicides. Sequential application of herbicides in a short duration crop not only increases the cost of production but also create cumbersome in its application. Therefore ready mix herbicides are now becoming popular among farming community. These new ready mix herbicides need to be tested for its bio-efficacy to manage weeds and its effect on crop productivity and symbiotic characters of cowpea. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of herbicides on the productivity and profitability of summer cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) at Agronomy Main Research Farm, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (India) during summer season. Methods: The experiment was laid out at Agronomy Main Research Farm, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (India) during the summer season of 2021 and2022 in a randomized block design (RBD) comprised of eight treatment with three replications. Standard procedures were followed for the observations and statistical analysis of the data. Result: The experimental results revealed that ready mix of pendimethalin+imazethapyr-750 g/ha significantly control the mixed flora of weeds which resulted significant increase in growth and yield. Ready mix application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr 750 g/ha registered the highest benefit to cost ratio.

Background: Groundnut grown in kharif season incurs more vegetative growth with higher plant height which causes the upper aerial pegs not to reach the ground. So, less numbers of sound mature pods resulting in lower yield compared to other seasons. The aim of the following investigation was to examine the effect of different growth regulators on plant height including other morphological and physiological parameters of kharif groundnut. Methods: The experiment was conducted during kharif sesaons of 2021 and 2022, taking three growth regulators with different concentrations in main plot i.e. Cycocel (CCC) @ 500 and 1000 ppm, Brassinosteroides (BR) @ 10 and 15 ppm, Maleic hydrazide (MH) @ 100 and 200 ppm and scheduling of applications in sub plots i.e. 30 DAS, 50 DAS and 30 and 50 DAS with an additional control for observation with cv. Dharani (TCGS-1043) variety. Result: The application of cycocel @ 1000 ppm recorded lowest plant height with maximum no. of primary branches and leaves /plant compared to other growth regulators and control. All physiological parameters studied in the experiment were maximum under foliar spray with CCC @ 1000 ppm. The scheduled application of growth regulators at 30 and 50 DAS decreased plant height, increased branches and leaves/plant significantly at different growth stages and also all physiological parameters compared to single 30 DAS and 50 DAS.