INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN BITTER GOURD IN THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF PESHAWAR

In order to study the effect of different weed control methods, an experiment was conducted in summer 2012 at the New Developmental Farm, the University of Agriculture Peshawar. The treatments comprised of four mulches (Rumex crispus, Silybum marianum, news papers, and saw-dust), a herbicide i.e. Stomp 330 EC (pendimethalin) as pre-emergence, a hand weeding and a control treatment (weedy check). Data were collected on weed density, number of plants ha^-1 and total fruit yield. Weed density was the highest (540 weeds m^-2) in the weedy check treatment and the lowest in the hand weeded plots (80 m-2). The reduction in weed population was 97% in the hand weeded treatments as compared to the control treatments. The weed parameters were statistically at par in the rest of the treatments. However, the reduction in weed population was more than 42% in the rest of the treatments. The highest number of fruits plant-1 (4.20) and total fruit yield (4050 kg ha-1) were recorded in the hand weeded treatments followed by the treatment of Stomp 330 EC. Moreover, the performance of the mulching treatments was also significantly more effective than the weedy check plots. Keeping in view the cost of production and the environmental safety, the hand weeding and herbicide use cannot be preferred for use as weed management tools. Therefore, mulching treatments should be given place for weed management purpose as it is cost effective, more environment friendly and long lasting.