DEEPAK KUMAR*, RAJESH KUMAR MEENA, RAKESH KUMAR, HARDEV RAM, RAKESH KUMAR AND GANESH KUMAR KOLI
Agronomy Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
Department of Genetics & Plant breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : bhardwaj051238@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 December 2021; Accepted : 29 December 2021)

SUMMARY

India has the world’s largest livestock population and milk production, but the livestock productivity is very low due to scarcity of quality green fodder especially during the hot summer month. To improve the profitability of small and marginal farmers in terms of the livestock sector, fodder beet can be a strong contender compared to other fodder crops in arid and semi-arid regions. Fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a temperate crop now spreading towards subtropical countries, where it can be grown successfully during the winter season. It is a high yielding potential crop treated as forage concentrate and provides high-quality green fodder up to June. High energy, water, sugar, low to medium protein and low fiber content makes it more palatable and digestible, can be cultivated profitably even with saline water and in salt-affected soils. Under diverse environmental conditions, agronomic practices significantly influence the growth, yield, and quality of fodder beet. Its full potential is widely recognised in world and it could possibly be a high yielding forage option for the Indian farmers as well.

Key words: Fodder beet, livestock, nutritional aspects and agronomic practices

257-263

MULISA FAJI DIDA
Animal Feed and Nutrition Research Division
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia
*(e-mail : mulisa.faji2016@gmail.com)
(Received : 4 November 2021; Accepted : 27 December 2021)

SUMMARY

A study was carried out to evaluate four Vicia accessions from three species for forage biomass yield performance under two environmental conditions of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Western Ethiopia. The evaluated Vicia species and accessions were one V. benghanlensis (6798), two V. villosa (6213 and 6792) and one V. sativa, (5172) accessions. The experiment was conducted at Tongo and Assosa Forage Research Station of Assosa Agricultural Research Center and the locations were purposively selected to represent highland and mid-altitude agro-ecologies, respectively. The experiment was set up with a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main effects differences among genotypes and environments significantly influenced leaf to stem ratio (P < 0.05) and plant height (P < 0.01), while the forage dry matter yield was significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the environment. Tongo had the highest forage dry matter yield (P < 0.01) compared to Assosa. Plant height was significantly different among accessions at both locations and the shortest plant height at forage harvest was recorded for V. sativa 5172 at both locations. At Tongo, mean dry matter yield was significantly different (P < 0.05) among accessions, but not at Assosa (P > 0.05). V. benghanlensis 6798 gave a higher total dry matter yield followed by
V. villosa 6792 at Tongo.

Key words: Genotype, environment, G x E, agronomic traits, vicia accessions

264-270

G. S. DAHIYA, RAVI KUMAR, RAJESH KUMAR ARYA* AND PAVITRA KUMARI
MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agriculural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agriculural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : rakarayogi@gmail.com)
(Received: 5 November 2021; Accepted: 28 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The field experiment on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was conducted in RBD by using 13 elite genotypes including two checks during rabi 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Research Farm of MAP Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. In the present study, wide genetic variability was observed for plant height (cm), days to flowering, days to maturity, and seed yield (kg/ha). During 2019-20, out of 13 genotypes, the genotype HB 15-21 recorded the highest seed yield (4236.11 kg/ha) followed by HB 15-41 (3941.24 kg/ha), HFB 1 (C) (3881.48 kg/ha), HB 15-04 (3703.70 kg/ha), Vikrant (C) (3653.70 kg/ha), HB 13-38 (3587.50 kg/ha). During 2020-21, the maximum seed yield (kg/ha) was observed in HB 13-38 (3291.75 kg/ha) followed by HB 15-17 (3183.25 kg/ha), HB 15-07 (3178.00 kg/ha), HB 15-14 (3139.00 kg/ha). However, on average basis, protein content was found maximum in HB 15-51 (27.55%) followed by NDFB 17-01 (27.26%), HFB 1 (C) (27.26%), HB 15-17 (27.13%), HB 13-38 27.11%), Vikrant (C) (27.07%). These elite
genotypes have good potential for commercial cultivation, but to be tested over time and space
before recommendation for commercial cultivation.

Key words: Seed yield, quality parameters, disease resistance, faba bean (Vicia faba L.), elite genotypes

271-276

HINA M. MAKWANA, P. R. PATEL,* AND P. T. PATEL
C. P. Collage of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,
Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
Pulses Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,
Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
Seed Technology Department, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,
Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : prpatel@sdau.edu.in)
(Received : 12 November 2021; Accepted : 24 December 2021)

SUMMARY

Correlation coefficient and path coefficient analysis was studied in the present study for seed yield with a set of 40 genotypes of clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonaloba (L.) Taub) at Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar using RBD with four replications. Based on the mean performance, five genotypes viz., GG 1, GG 2, IC 41057, IC 311444, and IC 113432 were found elite genotypes. The correlation coefficient at genotypic level was found to be higher than corresponding phenotypic level, indicating that there is a strong association between yield and yield related traits. Seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive association with test weight followed by number of pods per plant,
number of clusters per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length, number of branches per plant, gum content and protein content both at genotypic and phenotypic level. The association of days to flowering and maturity with seed yield per plant was positive, but non-significant whereas, plant height displayed negative and non-significant association with seed yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level. Path coefficient analysis revealed the positive direct effect on seed yield per plant by test weight, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod.

Key words:Correlation, Path analysis, clusterbean

277-283

K. SHAMINI*, T. EZHILARASI, K. N. GANESAN, S. D. SIVAKUMAR AND S. GEETHA
Department of Forage Crops, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003 (Tamil Nadu), India
*(e-mail : kshamini93@gmail.com)
(Received : 10 November 2021; Accepted : 24 December 2021)

SUMMARY

Guinea grass is one of the promising grass fodder crop originated from Africa and introduced into India. It plays a major role in livestock productivity due to its higher biomass and shorter duration. Though enough variability is present in Guinea grass, studies were limited in ascertaining its genetic variability. The present study was carried out in 75 accessions explored from different parts of India to estimate the magnitude of genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in Guinea grass for green fodder yield and its associated traits. The data recorded in the replicated experiment on different yield contributing traits revealed moderate PCV and GCV for the traits viz., number of tillers and leaf weight. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was recorded in plant height and number of tillers while moderate heritability and genetic advance were observed in leaf weight. It implies that these traits are controlled by non additive gene action and direct selection may not be effective. Hence, further improvement in green fodder yield is feasible only through creation of variability followed by selection. Association studies revealed that plant height, leaf length, leaf breath and leaf weight were significantly and positively associated with green fodder yield. The trait leaf weight exhibited high direct effect on green fodder yield. Therefore, selection for these associated traits would be effective for enhancing the green fodder yield in Guinea grass.

Key words: Guinea grass, variability, association study, green fodder yield

284-287

V. P. S. PANGHAL*, MAKHAN MAJOKA, HANS RAJ, D. S. DUHAN AND JAGAT SINGH MALIK
Department of Vegetable Science,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : vijaypalpanghal@gmail.com)
(Received : 08 November 2021; Accepted : 24 December 2021)

SUMMARY

Production of cowpea in India is limit by lack of improved varieties and seeds. Majority of varieties released were not characterize for adaptation in other parts of the country and as such their usefulness for deployment in breeding programs as well as considered for re­lease to farmers cannot be ascertained. For effectively determine the usefulness of any introduced varieties, accessions, evalua­tion of that is necessary in particular climatic condition. The present experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar in rainy season during 2017-18 and 2018-19 for two years. The objective of the investigation was to identify the performance of different varieties of cowpea for quality pod yield in climatic conditions of Haryana. There were total five varieties viz., P263, Kashi Kanchan, Pusa Komal, Pusa Sukomal and Charodi-1 that were laid out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The result revealed that number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length and pod yield was recorded significantly higher in Kashi Kanchan followed by P-263 varieties of cowpea. Hence, for pod production in climatic conditions of Haryana, cowpea varieties Kashi Kanchan and P-263 were recommended.

Key words:Cowpea, lobia, pod yield, contributing traits

288-291

S. P. BHAPKAR, P. P. SURANA, V. B. SHINDE* AND G. C. SHINDE
Department of Agril. Botany
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722, District Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail : vbshinde70@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 December 2021; Accepted : 28 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The present investigation entitled, “Characterization and variability studies for green forage yield and associated traits in forage cactus”, was conducted on 34 forage cactus genotypes at Cattle Farm Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra during Summer 2019 – Rabi 2020. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with two replications and observations were recorded on one plant in each replication for ten characters considered viz., plant height (cm), plant width (cm), number of cladodes (no), cladode length (cm), cladode thickness (cm), dry matter content (%), crude protein content (%), dry matter yield/ plant (kg), green forage yield per plant (kg) in each replication. The analysis of variance revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes for all characters studied showed highly significant differences. Based on the mean performance of the 34 genotypes studied, Mexico fodder 1278 was having highest plant height among all other genotypes. COPENA F1 has largest plant width and Orelha de Elephantemaxicana was with highest number of cladodes. Genotype 1280 was with cladode having highest length and width along with highest cladode thickness. Genotype COPENA F1 has the highest dry matter content. Green forage yield is significantly higher of Orelha de elefantemaxicana which also has highest dry matter yield /plant. For all the characters under study genotypes Palma grande, Palma redonda, Orelha de elefantemaxicana, COPENA F1, IPA-90-92, IPA-90-111, IPA-90-156, 1294, 1296, 1280 were found superior for most of the characters.The Characters like plant width, number of cladodes/plant, green forage yield /plant and dry matter yield / plant have high value of GCV and PCV respectively. High heritability combined with high genetic advance is found for all characters except for cladode thickness. Green forage yield/plant showed significantly high and positive correlation with dry matter yield/ plant followed by number of cladodes/plant, dry matter content, cladode thickness, plant width, cladode length and cladode width. Other character like plant height and crude protein content showed positive correlation with the green forage yield but not significant at the genotypic level. In path analysis the high positive and direct effect is of dry matter yield / plant followed by number of cladodes/ plant, cladode width and cladode thickness on green forage yield.

Key words: Forage cactus, variability, correlation , path analysis and green forage yield

292-298

GAYATRI KUMAWAT*, MANISH KUMAR CHOUDHARY, GANESH KUMAR KOLI AND JAI PRAKASH SHAHI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (U. P.), India
*(e-mail : kumawatgayatri10@gmail.com)
(Received : 10 December 2021; Accepted : 28 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The screening for water stress of fifty five CIMMYT maize genotypes was carried out to estimate the genetic variability and correlation at Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of Agriculture Science, BHU, Varanasi. The experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice design with two replication and phenotypic data were analyzed using seven traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the parameters studied. The maize hybrids (ZH15506, ZH17506, ZH17229 and ZH17496) showed highest value for grain yield per plant. Yield per plant was increased with germination percentage, plant height at seedling and chlorophyll content. If the selection for a water logging tolerant genotype is made for any of these component traits, the improvement in yield per plant could be achieved.

Key words: Maize, Genetic Variability and Water stress and correlation

299-302

S. N. RAM*, M. M. DAS AND AKRAM AHMED
Grassland and Silvipasture Management Division,
ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi- 284003 (U.P.) India
*(e-mail : ramshivnath@yahoo.com)
(Received : 16 October 2021; Accepted : 15 December 2021)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during 2013 to 2018 on five years old Hardwickia binata based silvopasture system at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. The treatment consisted of establishment of three grasses in association with H. binata and construction of three moisture conservation practices. Establishment of C. fulvus in association with H. binata recorded significantly higher dry pasture yield (6.40 t/ha) as compared to P. maximum (6.02 t/ha) and it was found at par with C. ciliaris (6.02 t/ha). In moisture conservation practices, staggered trenches recorded significantly higher dry top feed (1.21 t/ha) and fire wood (1.40 t/ha) of H. binata as compared to control treatment-without staggered trenches and bund (0.83 and 0.89 t/ha) respectively. Chrysopogon fulvus also recorded maximum net return (Rs 35485/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (0.53) followed by Cenchrus ciliaris (Rs 33853/ha and 0.51) and Panicum maximum (Rs. 32107/ha and 0.49) utilized in grazing mode by goats and sheep at the rate of 2 ACU.

Key words:Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon fulvus, Hardwickia binata, moisture conservation practices, Panicum maximum, top feed and net returns

303-307

SATPAL*, SURESH KUMAR, ANIL KUMAR, B. GANGAIAH, K. K. BHARDWAJ AND NEELAM
Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
Directorate of Research, 3Department of Agricultural Meteorology,
Department of Soil Science, 6Department of Agronomy,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
ICAR – Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad – 500 030 (Telangana), India
*(e-mail : satpal_fpj@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 22 October 2021; Accepted : 26 December 2021)

SUMMARY

An experiment was conducted at Forage Section Research Farm, CCS HAU, Hisar, during kharif seasons of 2015 to 2017 on single-cut forage sorghum to quantify the impact of input resources (variety, fertilizer, weed control, plant protection, irrigation) on fodder production while working out the energy use efficiency indices with weather variables excluding each management practice from full package of practices (FPP) and from the differences in crop performance, input impact was assessed. The study revealed that management practices contributed to 49% improvement in green fodder yield of improved cultivar of single cut forage sorghum. Absence of improved genotype, weed control, plant protection fertilizer and irrigation resulted in 39, 33, 31, 30 and 22 per cent loss, respectively, in productivity as compared to FPP. The radiation use efficiency and heat use efficiency were also highest in full package of practices and thus are more energy efficient. Seed treatment exclusion from FPP did not affected crop productivity and resource use efficiency significantly. Radiation and heat use efficiency of forage sorghum (185.35 kg ha^-1 & 14.13 MJ^-1kg ha¹ °C day) with FPP, as compared to all other treatments except FPP-seed treatment. Helio Thermal Unit and Hydro Thermal Unit were not significantly influenced by different management treatments.

Key words:Fodder yield, input management, weather impact, agro-meteorological indices, thermalenergy efficiencies, forage sorghum

308-312

SUMIT BHARDWAJ*, JHABAR MAL SUTALIYA1, RAVI KUMAR AND AKSHAY PAREEK
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
MAP Section (GPB), CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : sumitbhardwaj909@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 30 September 2021; Accepted : 15 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of zero tillage and seed treatment with different biofertilizers inoculations on fodder yield, nutrients and protein content of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The field experiment was carried out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two levels of tillage system viz., T₁: Conventional Tillage (CT), T₂: Zero Tillage (ZT) and eight levels of
biofertilizers inoculations viz., B₁: Control (No Inoculation), B₂: Rhizobium spp., B₃: Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), B₄: Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM), B₅: Rhizobium spp. + PSB, B₆: Rhizobium spp. + VAM, B₇: PSB + VAM, B₈: Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM replicated three times during Rabi 2019-20. The source of biofertilizers used for seed treatment was Rhizotica containing Rhizobium spp., Phosphotica containing Pseudomonas spp. obtained from biofertilizer lab of CCS HAU and spore culture containing Glomus mosseae mycorrhizae for VAM inoculation. Dry matter accumulation (g/m.r.l.) in zero tillage was observed 2%, 3.6% & 5.45% higher than conventional tillage at 60 DAS, 90 DAS and harvest, respectively. The maximum dry matter accumulation (g/m.r.l.) was recorded in seed treatment with Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM at all the stages viz., 60 DAS (39.60), 90 DAS (89.05) and at harvest (305.67). Faba bean exhibited significantly higher nitrogen (0.80, 4.28) and phosphorus (0.12, 0.21) content of straw and seed respectively in ZT as compared to CT, however, no significant variation was observed concerning potassium content of straw as well as seed. NPK uptake of straw and seed was found significantly higher under ZT over CT. A significantly higher protein content (26.74%), protein yield (881 kg/ha) and straw yield (4839 kg/ha) were recorded under ZT in comparison to CT. Biofertilizers significantly affected nitrogen content, phosphorus content and NPK uptake of straw as well seed, whereas the effect on potassium content of straw and seed was nonsignificant. Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM exhibited maximum values for NPK content and uptake of straw as well as seed. Protein content, protein yield and straw yield were significantly affected by biofertilizer treatments, maximum been recorded in Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM.

Key words: Biofertilizer, fodder, nutrients, protein content, zero tillage

313-319

P. H. MAGAR, S. V. DAMAME* AND S. H. PATHAN
Department of Agronomy,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722, District Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail : shivajidamame@gmail.com)
(Received : 13 October 2021; Accepted : 17 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The present experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Institute Instructional Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) during summer season of 2020 to evaluate the effect of cutting management and nitrogen levels on quality of forage maize and silage. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and fifteen treatment combinations, consisted of three cutting managements i.e. cutting at 60 (before flowering), 75 (50 % flowering) and 90 (after fertilization) days after sowing and five nitrogen levels i.e. absolute control, 75 % RDN, 100 % RDN, 125 % RDN and 150 % RDN. The silage prepared from
maize forage cut at 60 DAS recorded significantly higher per cent crude protein (9.47 %), in vitro dry matter digestibility (68.56 %) and the lowest crude fibre (27.34 %). The silage prepared from application of 150 % RDN recorded significantly higher crude protein (9.44 %), in vitro dry matter digestibility (68.57 %) with the lowest crude fibre (29.07%). As the harvesting interval and application of nitrogen levels increases, there was increase in pH of silage. Cutting of forage maize at 90 DAS recorded significantly higher green forage, dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre yield, whereas higher per cent crude fibre with lower per cent crude protein and IVDMD. The application of 150 % RDN recorded significantly higher green forage, dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre yield, whereas higher per cent crude protein and IVDMD with lower per cent of crude fibre in forage maize.

Key words:Maize, crude protein, crude fibre, in vitro dry matter digestibility, nitrogen levels, cutting management

320-324

BHERU LAL KUMHAR*, K. K. AGRAWAL, A. K. JHA AND H. K. RAI
College of Agriculture, Jabalpur
Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur-482004 (Madhya Pradesh), India
*(e-mail : prajapatiagro09@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 December 2021; Accepted : 30 December 2021)

SUMMARY

A field study was conducted during two consecutive years (2018-19 and 2019-2000) at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur to evaluate the infiltration behaviour of soil under eight grass based cropping system combinations. The recommended dose of 150 kg N, 80 kg P₂O₅ and 40 kg K₂O/ha was applied through urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash. Results revealed that highest (6.1 and 11.6 m/hr) infiltration rate at the initiation (July, 2018) and end (June, 2020) of the study, respectively, was recorded under pearl millet napier hybrid in paired rows + ricebean – egyption clover system, however, sole cropping of guinea grass (GG) system recorded lowest (5.0 and 7.4 mm/hr) infiltration rate at above respective
times which were higher than that recorded before initiation of the study (4.5 mm/hr) during 2016.

Key words:Cumulative infiltration, grasses and cropping system, infiltration rate and vertisols

325-328

NAVEEN KUMAR*, SATPAL, NEERAJ KHAROR, SURESH KUMAR , D. S. PHOGAT AND Y. JINDAL
Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Directorate of Research, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana)
*(e-mail : nknaveenroyal@gmail.com)
(Received : 25 November 2021; Accepted : 22 December 2021)

SUMMARY

An experiment was carried out during rabi season, 2019-20 at Forage Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana) for evaluating the effect of promising genotypes of berseem yield and quality at different phosphorus levels in semi-arid and sub-tropical climate. The experiment consisted of 15 treatment combinations viz., five promising genotypes (Three genotypes i.e. JHB-17-1, JHB-17-2 & PC-91, one national check i.e. Wardan and one zonal check for North West zone i.e. Bundel Berseem-2) of berseem were kept in main plots and three phosphorus levels (60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) in sub plots which were replicated thrice in a split plot design. The results of experiment showed that entry JHB-17-1 performed best in respect of green fodder yield (582.6 q/ha), dry matter yield (80.5 q/ha), crude protein yield (16.72 q/ha) and B: C (1.79). Whereas, Bundel Berseem-2 was performed best in case of crude protein
content (20.78%). Application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha was proved superior in case of green fodder yield (560.4 q/ha), dry matter yield (77.8 q/ha), crude protein content (20.75%), crude protein yield (16.14 q/ha) and B: C (1.70) which was statistically on a par with application 80 kg P₂O₅/ha.

Key words:Berseem, genotypes, fodder yield, phosphorus levels, crude protein

329-333

AMARJEET NIBHORIA*, JITENDER KUMAR, BIKRAM SINGH, SATYAJEET, ASHOK KUMAR DEHINWAL AND MUKESH KUMAR
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University,
Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari), Haryana-123501, India
*(e-mail : amarnibhoria@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 December 2021; Accepted : 28 December 2021)

SUMMARY

The study was conducted during Kharif 2019 and Kharif 2020 at CCS HAU Regional Research Station, Bawal, India to assess the relative performance of different methods (manual, chemical and mechanical) of weed management in pearl millet. The crop was infested with Carpet weed (Trianthema portulacustrum), Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Crow root grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium) and Digera arvensis etc. Among all treatments, mechanical weed management integrated with supplementary manual weeding viz. mechanized interculture with tractor drawn cultivator at 15 and 25 DAS followed by one supplementary hand weeding at 30 DAS under crop geometry of 60 cm × 10 cm was found most productive and remunerative with grain yield of 23.17 q/ha, net returns (Rs.18746/ha) and B:C (1.52). Yield and net returns achieved under this treatment were 3 and 177 per cent higher than manual interculture with kasola under 45 cm x 12 cm crop geometry, respectively. Mechanized interculture with tractor drawn cultivator or power weeder at 15 and 25 DAS followed by
supplementary hand weeding at 30 DAS under crop geometry of 60cm × 10cm resulted into the
highest weed control efficiency (WCE) of 91 percent, manual intercuture with kasola provided WCE of 85 percent over period of two years (2019 and 2020). While, Chemical weed management with atrazine @ 0.5 kg/ha as pre as well as post emergence gave WCE of 72 and 71 percent, respectively, while, Unchecked weeds caused yield loss of 43 percent over the study period.

Key words:Mechanized weed management, crop geometry, pearl millet, weed control efficiency

334-339