Integrated weed management improves weed suppression, yield and profitability of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, G H Raisoni University, Saikheda, Madhya Pradesh, India, to identify an effective and profitable integrated weed-management practice for sunflower. Eight treatments were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. The weed-free check recorded the lowest weed density (3.30 plants m⁻²), weed dry matter (7.82 g m⁻²) and the highest weed-control efficiency (96.0%). Among practical treatments, oxyfluorfen 30% EC at 250 g a.i. ha⁻¹ as pre-emergence followed by imazethapyr 10% SL at 100 g a.i. ha⁻¹ as post-emergence recorded 12.54 weeds m⁻², 29.70 g m⁻² weed dry matter and 84.8% weed-control efficiency. The weed-free check produced the highest seed yield (2130 kg ha⁻¹), but it remained statistically at par with oxyfluorfen followed by imazethapyr (2075 kg ha⁻¹), intercultivation followed by hand weeding (2045 kg ha⁻¹) and pendimethalin followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl (2015 kg ha⁻¹). Oxyfluorfen followed by imazethapyr generated the highest net return (₹76,563 ha⁻¹) and benefit:cost ratio (2.71). The results indicate that sequential pre- and post-emergence weed control can provide seed yield comparable with repeated hand weeding while improving profitability.