Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Chickpea as Influenced by Integrated Weed Management Practices

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop of India; however, its productivity is severely affected by early-season weed competition, resulting in yield losses ranging from 40 to 60 percent. Slow canopy development and wider row spacing make the crop more vulnerable to weeds during 20–40 days after sowing, which is considered the critical period of competition. The present review compiles information on weed diversity, chemical weed control efficacy, and integrated strategies in chickpea. The dominant weed complex consists of Chenopodium album, Cyperus rotundus, and Parthenium hysterophorus. Sequential application of pendimethalin as pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ followed by imazethapyr as post-emergence @ 75 g a.i. ha⁻¹ recorded the highest weed control efficiency and lower weed biomass, with grain yield at par with two hand weedings. Combination of herbicide with one manual weeding was found to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable. This paper also highlights future thrust areas including evaluation of new herbicide molecules, soil health assessment and precision-based weed management.