~ 1024 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2017; 6(7): 1024-1028 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating 2017: 5.03 TPI 2017; 6(7): 1024-1028 © 2017 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 16-05-2017 Accepted: 17-06-2017 Manju Baraiya ADO, Sivpur, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. Of MP, India KS Yadav Deptt of Agronomy, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Gwalior, MP, India Satish Kumar Deptt of Agronomy, JNKVV, Jabalpur, MP, India Narayan Lal Deptt of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, MP, India Govind Shiurkar Deptt of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, MP, India Correspondence Manju Baraiya ADO, Sivpur, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. Of MP, India Effect of integrated weeds management on growth and development of Okra Manju Baraiya, KS Yadav, Satish Kumar, Narayan Lal and Govind Shiurkar Abstract It was observed that the plant population was almost under all the different weed control practices at both the stages. The maximum plant height at harvest stage was also recorded in T8 (2 H.W. at 30 and 60 DAS), Maximum number of branches at harvest stage were noted under T8 (7.92/plant), which was at par with T5 (7.47/plant) treatment. At harvest, the maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded under the treatment weed free (8.20/plant) which was statistically at par with T5 (grass mulch 5 t/ha one week after germination). The maximum dry weight per plant was recorded under the treatment weed free (22.02/plant) which was statistically superior over all the weed control treatments. Among all the weed management treatments, weed free T8 (2 H.W. at 30 and 60 DAS) recorded significantly higher number of pod per plant. The maximum length of pod (12.20 cm) was recorded in T8 treatment, which was statistically at par with T5 and T4 and former treatment recorded significantly longer pod than rest of the treatments. The maximum girth of pod (1.37 cm), yield (1102kg/ha) and maximum harvest index (15.39%) was observed under T8 (2 HW at 30 & 60 DAS). Keywords: Plant height, Branches, Pod, Yield, Harvest index 1. Introduction Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is an important vegetable crop of the tropic and sub- tropic. It is grown during summer and rainy season and hence classified as warm season crop. Okra is cultivated for its immature edible fruits known as pods; the mature fruits are also dried and stored in parts of Africa for local use in high temperature season. Okra is a wonderful vegetable that is used in all sorts of soups and stews. It is pretty Versatile. The root and stem are used for clearing cane juice in preparation gur. The fruit also help in cases of renal colic, leucorrhoea and general weakness. It has yet multiple uses; the dry seed contains 13-22% good edible oil and 20-24% protein. UP, Bihar and Orissa are major okra growing state in India. India is the leading country in okra production having an area of 5.33 lakh ha production 63.46 mt and productivity-11.9 mt/ha. In M.P, the area of okra is 0.26 lakh ha and production is 3.05 mt. (Anon.2014) [1] . Weeds that interfered with okra from 2WAP (weeks after planting) resulted in 79.8% and 72.5% fresh fruit yield reduction in 2006 and 2007, respectively. and weed interference with okra from 8WAP(weeks after planting) resulted in 19.8% and 19.6% yield losses in 2006 and 2007 (Rasheed et al., 2009) [4] . During the monsoon months, weeds dominate and besides other factors for lower yield, lack of proper weed control is the most important one. Weeds not only reduce the yield of vegetable but also deteriorate the quality of vegetable. The combination of chemical, cultural and manual weed control methods was more effective in controlling weeds than their isolated application but their application also affects the growth and yield of main crops. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to see the effect of different methods of weed control on growth and yield parameters of Okra. 2. Materials and Methods The experimental on “Integrated weed management in okra ( Hibiscus esculentus L. Moench) cv. VRO-6” was conducted during kharif season in R.V.S.K.V.V. Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.). The topography of the field was uniform with proper drainage. The soil of the experimental field was sandy clay loam. The summer is hot and dry, May and June are the hottest months and their temperature varies from 47 0 C to 28.5 0 C, respectively. December and January constitutes the cooler months of the year, temperature ranges from 7 0 C to 4 0 C.