Comparative Efficacy of Chemical and Plant based Herbicides on Weed Management in Winter Sown Ashwagandha Crop [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]

Author: Salikram Mohare, Gyanendra Tiwari, Niraj Tripathi, Anay Rawat, Amit Jha, R. Shiv Ramakrishnan, R.K. Samaiya

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Abstract

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a valuable and prominent medicinal plant species cultivated in India. Weed infestation is one of the major problems affecting growth and productivity of this crop. Experiments were conducted at Herbal Garden, Department of Plant Physiology, JNKVV, Jabalpur, India during winter seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 to find out suitable herbicide(s) out of chemical and plant based herbicides. Results revealed that single post-emergence spray of chemical herbicides viz. Quizalofop-p-ethyl@ 50 g ha-1, Clodinofop-p-propargyl @ 60 g ha-1 and Haloxyfop r-methyl @ 750 g ha-1 individually were very effective in controlling weeds without any serious effect on Ashwagandha crop. These herbicides controlled mainly monocot weeds. Plant based organic herbicide (alcoholic extract Withania root @10 kg ha-1) and chemical herbicide (Oxyflourfen @100 kg ha-1) individually effectively controlled weeds specially dicot weeds with some adverse effects on growth and survival of Withania crops. Quizalofop-p-ethyl prolonged vegetative and reproductive phases. One spray of Quizalofop-p-ethyl 30 days after planting not only effectively manages weed population in Withania crop but also realized maximum dried root yield (1077 kg ha-1), leaf yield (1666.33 kg ha-1), seed yield (788.33 kg ha-1), and total plant biomass yield (5440.67 kg ha-1). Withania root extract was equite effective in controlling both monocot and dicot weeds but less effective than chemical herbicide Quizalofop-p-ethyl because it realized less dried root yield (632.67 kg ha-1). Withania root extract was very effective in maximizing harvest index (22.52%) taking root as economic yield showing improvement in partitioning of assimilates towards economic sink, i.e. root.

Keywords

Withania somnifera, medicinal plants, chemical control, Quizalofop, Haloxyfop, Clodinofop, Oxyflorfen

Conclusion

Withania root extract was quite effective in controlling both monocot and dicot weeds but less effective than chemical herbicide Quizalofop-p-ethyl because it realized less dried root yield (632.67 kg ha-1). Withania root extract was very effective in maximizing harvest index (22.52%) taking root as economic yield showing improvement in partitioning of assimilates towards economic sink, i.e., root.

References

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How to cite this article

Salikram Mohare, Gyanendra Tiwari, Niraj Tripathi, Anay Rawat, Amit Jha, R. Shiv Ramakrishnan, R.K. Samaiya (2023). Comparative Efficacy of Chemical and Plant based Herbicides on Weed Management in Winter Sown Ashwagandha Crop [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 444-449.