Carthamus oxyacantha, Weed control efficiency, Field pea

Field investigations were carried out for three consecutive rabi seasons (2001-04) on farmers’ field at Bariapur village of Jalaun district in Uttar Pradesh to develop effective weed management technology in field pea involving cultural and chemical measures for managing weed problem especially menace of Carthamus oxyacantha. Results revealed that metribuzin (175 g/ha) as preemergence followed by metribuzin (87.5g /ha) as post-emergence (after first irrigation) demonstrated satisfactory the mortality of C. oxycantha and other associated weeds with an overall weed control efficiency of 72.0% resulting in increased grain yield by 56.8% and greater net monetary returns (Rs 7140 /ha) with higher B:C ratio (5.49) over unweeded. Cross or bidirectional sowing reduced dry weight of weeds to the extent of 1 1% only and failed to incr ease grain yield significantly. Use of five tined hoe caused weed mor tality to the extent of 18-24% resulting in increased grain yield to the extent of 16-17%.