Effect of post-emergence herbicides on weeds, productivity and economics of cluster bean

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive Kharif seasons (2022, 2023 and 2024) at the Agriculture Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Kharif pulses. The study was aimed to identify an effective post-emergence herbicide for effective weed management and improve growth, productivity, and economics of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments replicated three. The post-emergence application (PoE) of sodium-acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop-propargyl 8% (sodium-acifluorfen + clodinafop-propargyl) 245 g/ha at 15–20 days after seeding (DAS) has significantly reduced total weed density and biomass and recorded higher weed control efficiency 76.59 and 85.22% at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively. The same treatment caused significant improvement in cluster bean plant height, number of pods/plant, test weight, seed yield, stover yield, harvesting index, weed index (11.69%). It also recorded higher gross returns (Rs. 57994/ha), net returns (Rs. 36924/ha) and B:C (2.76).