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Weed control in rose‐scented geranium ( Pelargonium spp)
Author(s) -
Kothari Sushil K,
Singh Chandra P,
Singh Kamla
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.592
Subject(s) - geranium , weed , pendimethalin , weed control , dry weight , geraniol , sowing , citronellol , agronomy , horticulture , mulch , biology , botany , essential oil , cultivar
Field investigations were carried out during 1999 and 2000 to identify effective chemical/cultural methods of weed control in rose‐scented geranium ( Pelargonium spp). The treatments comprised pre‐emergence applications of oxyfluorfen (0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 kg AI ha −1 ) and pendimethalin (0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 kg AI ha −1 ), successive hand weeding, hoeing and mulching using spent of lemon grass (at 5 tonnes ha −1 ) 45 days after planting (DAP), three hand‐weedings 30, 60 and 90 DAP, weed‐free (frequent manual weeding) and weedy control. Broad‐leaf weeds were more predominant than grass and sedge weeds, accounting for 85.8% weed density and 93.0% weed dry weight in 1999 and 77.2% weed density and 93.9% weed dry weight in 2000. Unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced geranium oil yield, by 61.6% and 70.6% in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Pre‐emergence application of pendimethalin (0.75–1.00 kg AI ha −1 ) or oxyfluorfen (0.25 kg AI ha −1 ), successive hand‐weeding, hoeing and mulching and three hand‐weedings were highly effective in reducing weed density and dry weight and gave oil yield comparable to the weed‐free check. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.15 or 0.20 kg AI ha −1 ) and pendimethalin (0.50 kg AI ha −1 ) were less effective in controlling the weed species in geranium. None of the herbicides impaired the quality of rose‐scented geranium oil measured in terms of citronellol and geraniol content. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry