Evaluation of integrated weed management practices for chilies in Pakistan

Weed management studies in transplanted chilies were conducted during 2004 and 2005 at the National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. Pendimethalin and oxadiazon at 0.825 and 0.240 l a.i. ha−1, respectively were applied 1 week before and 2 days after transplanting and their efficacy alone and in combination with one manual weeding was evaluated to reduce weed competition and its effects on fruit yield. Compared to weed free condition, weed crop competition caused 301% and 464% reduction in the fruit yield during the first and second year, respectively. Cyprus rotundus (43%) and Dactyloctenium aegyptium (22%), Chenopodium album and Lamium amplexicaule (9%) were the dominant weeds recorded in the field. Oxadiazon one week before transplanting in combination with one hand weeding at 45 DAT was found more effective in enhancing fruit yield and recorded the highest net returns than other treatments. The net returns obtained in this treatment were 194% and 350% higher than weedy check while 3.6% and 3.0% higher than weed free treatment during the first and second year, respectively.