Herbicide residue, Radish, Weed control, Vegetable

A field experiment was carried out at Ludhiana during winter 2007-2008 to find out effective and safe herbicides for radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Pre-emergence herbicides viz., pendimethalin (0.37, 56 and 0.75 kg/ha), trifluralin (0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 kg/ha), alachlor (1.25, 1.87 and 2.5 kg/ha), oxyfluorfen (0.117, 0.147 and 0.176 kg/ha), vis-a-vis, two hand hoeing (20 and 40 days after sowing) and unweeded control were evaluated. Uncontrolled weeds reduced the radish root yield by 10.7 to 27.1%. All the herbicidal treatments significantly reduced weed density and dry matter. Trifluralin 1.2 kg/ha recorded the highest radish root yield and was at par with trifluralin 0.9 kg, pendimethalin 0.75 kg, alachlor 1.25 and 2.5 kg, oxyfluorfen 0.147 and 0.176 kg/ha and two hand hoeing. The herbicides did not influence the total soluble solids and isothiocyanate content in radish roots. Herbicide residues in crop roots were below detectable level.