Cowpea, Hand weeding, Imazethapyr, Mulching, Pendimethalin

A field experiment was conducted at instructional farm II of College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kerala, India during the Rabi 2020 to evaluate the efficacy and identify economic weed management treatment for managing weeds in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. The weed parameters were significantly influenced by the weed management practices. The weed density and biomass and higher weed control efficiency during different periods of crop growth were consistently lower with pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha + mulching 7t/ha which indicated that pre-emergence herbicide application could effectively manage the weeds emerging early in the season and the later emerged weeds could be successfully controlled by mulching. It was as effective as two hand weeding done 15 and 30 days after seeding (DAS). The effective management of weeds by it resulted in higher yield and B:C ratio.