Improving production potential of clusterbean using postemergence herbicides

Abstract

Clusterbean commonly known as "Guar" is an important drought hardy leguminous crop which is
cultivated mostly in the arid and semiarid regions of tropical India during season. It is cultivated in
marginal and rainfed areas where inadequate weed management is a major constraint in harnessing
its production potential. Being kharif season crop, there is severe competition by mixed weed flora
which reduces its yield drastically to the tune of 53.7 per cent has been reported (Saxena et al.,
2004). Although weeds pose problem during entire crop growth period, however initial phase (30
DAS) of the crop is especially critical. Therefore, weed control needs to be restored to exploit the
yield potential of this crop. Hand weeding is a traditional and effective method of weed control. But
untimely rains, unavailability of labour at peak time and increasing labour cost are the main
limitations of manual weeding. Under such situations, the only alternative that needs to be explored
is the use of suitable herbicides which may be effective and economically viable.