Growth and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as affected by different methods of pendimethalin application.

Weed management is one of the most important factors in obtaining maximum crop productivity. An experiment was carried out consecutively for two years at the Research Farm of Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan during 2007 and 2008 to investigate the most appropriate and the safest method of pendimethalin application and its effects on % weed control, seed cotton yield and its components. Cotton cultivar CIM-496 was sown during the 3 rd week of May in both the seasons on silty loam soil. Five different methods were evaluated which included application of pendimethalin 33% @ 2.5 litres ha -1 (0.825 kg ha -1 ) on prepared land and incorporated into the soil followed by making bed furrow, application on prepared seed bed before making bed furrow, application on dry bed furrow before dibbling and applying irrigation, immediately after planting in standing water and 24 hours after planting in moist soil. Results indicated that application of pendimethalin 33% on dry bed furrow before applying irrigation produced 82.5 % broad leaf and 84.1 % narrow leaf weed control which ultimately led towards obtaining seed cotton yield of 2689 kg ha -1 which was 115.1% higher than the weedy check. However, spray on dry soil and incorporation, which gave 2547 kg ha -1 was also statistically at par with the top