Farmers participatory assessments of weed control techniques in Onion (Allium cepaL.) cultivation under the North West Plateau Zone of Odisha

Abstract Onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in India faces fluctuating production and productivity resulting in higher market prices and less economic benefits. Crop weed competition poses a significant obstacle in onion production, hindering its growth and development. Weeds actively compete for essential resources, thereby exposing the overall productivity of the crop. Hence, an investigation was carried out with two weed control methods using herbicides in 7 numbers of farmers fields covering 01 hectare. A significant reduction in weed population was observed by applying Oxyfluorfen 235g per ha and one-handed weeding 55 days after transplanting (DAT) (07 weeds per m²) compared with the application of Pendimethalin 750g per ha followed by Quizalofop ethyl 50g per ha at 20 days after transplanting (DAT) (10 weeds per m²) and manual weeding (28 weeds per m²). The onion bulb yield (q/ha) and the net income (Rs./ha) followed the same trend expressing the higher bulb yield of 214 q/ha and net income of Rs. 158300/- per hadue to the application of Oxyfluorfen 235g per haand one-hand weeding at 55 days after transplanting (DAT) followed by the application of Pendimethalin 750g per hafollowed by Quizalofop ethyl 50g per haat 20 (DAT) with 205 q/ha of bulb yield and Rs.148500/- of net income per ha. Manual weeding in onion is more costly. Hence, applying Oxyfluorfen 235g ha⁻¹and one-manual weeding using a spade at 55 days after transplanting can be profitable for the onion growers.