Effect of different weed management practices on weed dynamics of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. Arka Pratham

Introduction

Flowers are wonderful creation of God and one of most beautiful gift of nature to human. They are used to express the feelings of love, joy, sorrow and happiness because they have the power to make us happy and cheerful on different occasion like marriage, valentine day, birthday, etc. Different kind and types of flowers are used by people on different occasions and it stands for strength and moral integrity. Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) belongs to family Iridaceae with chromosome number n=15 and native of South Africa and Tropical Africa. The name gladiolus was originally coined by Pliny the Elder (A.D.23-79), from the Latin word gladius, meaning a sword, also known as 'Sword lily'. Gladiolus was introduced to India during 19th century (Apte, 1958) [1] . It is referred as "Queen of bulbous flowers" crop, due to its magnificent inflorescence, brilliant colours, attractive shapes, varying sizes, straight and considerably hardy spike with long vase life are desirable characteristics. In India, gladiolus are categorized as butterflies, miniatures, doubles (having more than six petals), giants and huge flowered. It is common cut flower in both domestic and foreign trade. Many flower lovers are drawn to spikes because of their extraordinary beauty and variety of colours and hues. It is cultivated commercially for the production of cut flowers or corms/cormels (Kadam et al. 2014) [5] .

Materials and Methods

An experiment was conducted to study the Effect of different weed management practices on weed dynamics of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. Arka Pratham at experimental field, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. PDKV, Akola in rabi 2024-2025. The experiment encompassed fifteen treatments. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) having three replications. Pre and post emergence weedicides were applied before and 30 DAP respectively. Hand weeding was carried out at 20, 40 and 60 DAP and plastic mulch was applied before planting of corms.

Weed density

The total weed flora was divided into two main groups i.e. monocot and dicot weeds. Total number of weeds presented in a experimental plots were counted with the help of quadrates one square meter and weed density was recorded. All the weeds present in the experimental plots were classified under three major group (i) Grasses (ii) Sedges and (iii) Broad leaved weeds. The weed parameters were counted at 30, 60 and 90 DAP and the average was worked out.

After collecting the weeds from individual treatments. weed samples were kept for drying in oven at 60 °C for 72 hours. After complete drying, the dry weight of weeds was recorded for different treatments.

Weed control efficiency (WCE)

The weed control efficiency was calculated on the basis of reduction in dry weight of weed in treated plot in comparison with the control plot and expressed in percentage.

Where, WCE = Weed control efficiency DWC = Dry weight of weeds in weedy check plot DWT = Dry weight of weeds in treated plot

Results and Discussion

Effect of different weed management practices on weed flora of gladiolus

Weed flora observed during the crop period of gladiolus was categorized as grasses, sedges and broadleaved weeds. Observations were recorded on weed count per square meter area, dry weight of weeds, weed control efficiency at 30 days interval. Among the grasses, Cynodon dactylon was predominant. The only sedge observed was Cyperus rotundus and Cyperus esculentus other predominant species of weeds observed are as below. (2018) [10] in cotton, Kumar et al. (2020) [6] and Jenkins et al. (1967) [4] in gladiolus [7] in banana and Kumar et al. (2020) [6] in gladiolus.

At 30 DAP, all other treatments where pre-emergence weedicide was applied weed count ranging from 8.00 to 16.00 was recorded. Minimum weed count (6.33/m 2 ) was recorded in treatment T 14 where plastic mulch was applied, this was statistically similar to T ) were most effective throughout the crop growth period. This might be due to combination of both herbicides that have longer effect on controlling weed population. The post emergence herbicide propaquizafop + imazethapyr PoE at 30 DAP showed better effect on many broad leaf and grasses weed. Total weed population was reduced significantly due to various weed control treatments at all stages of crop growth. This might be due to the herbicidal application alone and in combination which were effective in timely reducing total weed population. Weedy check (T 15 ) recorded highest weed population, Similar results were also reported by Bhaskar et al. (2020) [2] in gladiolus and Mangaraj et al. (2021) in pigeon pea. [9] in soyabean, Muhammed et al. (2017) [8] in okra and Bhaskar et al. 2020 [2] in gladiolus. [9] and Ekka et al. (2024) [3] in soyabean, Kumar et al. 2020 [6] in gladiolus

Dry weight of weed

References

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