EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUGARCANE

A field study was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2008-2009 to evaluate integrated weed management for sugarcane, Randomized Complete Block Design, having three replications was used in the experiment. The treatments including (1) Ametryn + atrazine @ 3.75 kg ha-1 (2) Ametryn + atrazine @ 3.75 kg ha-1 on cane rows + interrow cultivation, (3) hand weeding in cane rows + inter-row cultivation (4) inter-row cultivation only (5) hand hoeing twice and (6) weedy check. Statistical analysis of the data showed that weed density as well as yield related parameters were significantly affected by different treatments. In general weed management practices suppressed the weeds and increased the yield related traits. However, Ametryn + atrazine @ 3.75 kg ha-1 pre-emergence on cane rows only + inter-row cultivation was the most effective and economical than hand hoeing or interrow cultivation by tractor. It was further concluded that chemical weed control along with one inter-row cultivation during tillering gave higher cane yield and cost benefit ratio (1:12.85) while the least cost benefit ratio (1:7.25) was observed in hand weeding alone.