RESPONSE OF WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON BUCKWHEAT (FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM MOENCH) UNDER RAINFED CONDITION

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of integrated weed management practices on buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M). Among the varying weed management practices, the highest plant height, number of cymes per plant and number of branch per plant was recorded under the hands weeding (twice) at 20 and 35 days after sowing (DAS). The highest yield attributes and yield was recorded in hands weeding twice at 20 and 35 days after sowing (DAS) followed by pre-emergence application of fluchloralin @ 2.22 lt.ha-1 and post-emergence application of glyphosate @ 2.50 lt. ha-1 at 20 days after sowing (DAS) produces higher yield compare to control whereas pre-emergence application of fluchloralin @ 2.22 lt. ha-1 followed by one hand weeding at 35 DAS produces seed yield comparable to hand weeding (twice) treatment. The gross return, net income and benefit: cost ratio of buckwheat under seven varying weed management practices indicated that the hand weeding twice at 20 and 35 DAS recorded highest economic returns over other weed control practices. It may be concluded that the two hand weeding twice at 20 and 35 days after sowing best for obtaining overall gain in cultivation of buckwheat.