Weed management in rainfed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and greengram (Phaseolus radiatus) under North-Western Agroclimatic Zone of Tamil Nadu

In a 2-year field experiment an application of herbicide either pendimethal in or fluchloralin 3 days after sowing was found effective in controlling w eeds and recorded lower weed population and dry matter of weed. Application of pendimethalin (1.5 or 2.0 litres/ha) or fluchloralin (1.0 or 1.5 litres /ha) at 3 days + 1 hand-weeding at 30 days caused significant reduction in weed population and weed dry metter and marked increase in crop yield and w ere comparable with hand-weeding twice at 15 and 30 days in rainfed cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.). In pl aces where labour availability was not a problem hand-weeding twice at 15 a nd 30 days could fetch higher net returns in rainfed cowpea and greengram u nder North-Western Agroclimatic Zone of Tamil Nadu.