Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal
Although citrus cultivation has a comparative advantage in subtropical climates, meeting the increasing demand is challenging, primarily due to weed pressure contributing 25–33% yield loss. Henceforth, to assess the efficiency of weed management methods, enhance plant growth, and analyze economic tr...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Fruit Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2457978 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832584510571544576 |
|---|---|
| author | Deepa Parajuli Hom Nath Giri Mamta Adhikari Bidya Ojha Astha Pokharel Anusuya Aaradhana Panthee |
| author_facet | Deepa Parajuli Hom Nath Giri Mamta Adhikari Bidya Ojha Astha Pokharel Anusuya Aaradhana Panthee |
| author_sort | Deepa Parajuli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although citrus cultivation has a comparative advantage in subtropical climates, meeting the increasing demand is challenging, primarily due to weed pressure contributing 25–33% yield loss. Henceforth, to assess the efficiency of weed management methods, enhance plant growth, and analyze economic treatment costs, research was conducted in a three-year-old mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) orchard at Citrus Development Center, Tansen, Palpa, in 2022. The experiment was designed in a single factorial randomized complete block design with five treatments: plastic mulch, organic mulch, herbicide, hand weeding, and a control. Fourteen weed species were identified, and the highest weed density was of sedges (45%). Results of the study showed that plastic mulch was an efficient method providing lower average weed diversity (1.7); weed density in all days after treatment (DAT) (0.5, 0.6, 1.9, 6.6, and 1.1 m−2); and weed dry weight at 15, 30, and 45 DAT (0.1, 0.3, and 0.4 gm−2). Plastic mulch observed with higher weed control efficiency (93.9, 87.1, 93.1, 91.8, and 93.4%) and weed control index (89.6%, 85.8%, 93.8%, 90.8%, and 96.35%) in all DAT. Whereas, the weed persistence index was lower in herbicide-treated plots at 30 (0.73), 45 (0.44), and 75 (0.24) DAT. Herbicide-treated plots showed the highest increment in crop growth parameters of plant height (33.7%) and plant canopy cover volume (180.8%) and were also the most economical with the lower annual treatment cost (NPR 210 thousand/ha). The superior plant growth, higher weed control, and lower cost proved herbicide treatment as an effective weed control method. However, plastic mulch, with outcomes resembling herbicide, can be a sustainable approach for weed control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-34bb02ac4c504980a0d4d61487fa678b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1553-8362 1553-8621 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Fruit Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-34bb02ac4c504980a0d4d61487fa678b2025-01-27T13:22:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Fruit Science1553-83621553-86212025-12-01251435510.1080/15538362.2025.2457978Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, NepalDeepa Parajuli0Hom Nath Giri1Mamta Adhikari2Bidya Ojha3Astha Pokharel4Anusuya Aaradhana Panthee5Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, NepalAlthough citrus cultivation has a comparative advantage in subtropical climates, meeting the increasing demand is challenging, primarily due to weed pressure contributing 25–33% yield loss. Henceforth, to assess the efficiency of weed management methods, enhance plant growth, and analyze economic treatment costs, research was conducted in a three-year-old mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) orchard at Citrus Development Center, Tansen, Palpa, in 2022. The experiment was designed in a single factorial randomized complete block design with five treatments: plastic mulch, organic mulch, herbicide, hand weeding, and a control. Fourteen weed species were identified, and the highest weed density was of sedges (45%). Results of the study showed that plastic mulch was an efficient method providing lower average weed diversity (1.7); weed density in all days after treatment (DAT) (0.5, 0.6, 1.9, 6.6, and 1.1 m−2); and weed dry weight at 15, 30, and 45 DAT (0.1, 0.3, and 0.4 gm−2). Plastic mulch observed with higher weed control efficiency (93.9, 87.1, 93.1, 91.8, and 93.4%) and weed control index (89.6%, 85.8%, 93.8%, 90.8%, and 96.35%) in all DAT. Whereas, the weed persistence index was lower in herbicide-treated plots at 30 (0.73), 45 (0.44), and 75 (0.24) DAT. Herbicide-treated plots showed the highest increment in crop growth parameters of plant height (33.7%) and plant canopy cover volume (180.8%) and were also the most economical with the lower annual treatment cost (NPR 210 thousand/ha). The superior plant growth, higher weed control, and lower cost proved herbicide treatment as an effective weed control method. However, plastic mulch, with outcomes resembling herbicide, can be a sustainable approach for weed control.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2457978Cost evaluationhand weedingherbicide treatmentorganic mulchplastic mulch |
| spellingShingle | Deepa Parajuli Hom Nath Giri Mamta Adhikari Bidya Ojha Astha Pokharel Anusuya Aaradhana Panthee Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal International Journal of Fruit Science Cost evaluation hand weeding herbicide treatment organic mulch plastic mulch |
| title | Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal |
| title_full | Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal |
| title_short | Effect of Weed Management Practices on Citrus Growth and Cost of Production at Young Mandarin Orchard in Palpa, Nepal |
| title_sort | effect of weed management practices on citrus growth and cost of production at young mandarin orchard in palpa nepal |
| topic | Cost evaluation hand weeding herbicide treatment organic mulch plastic mulch |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2457978 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT deepaparajuli effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal AT homnathgiri effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal AT mamtaadhikari effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal AT bidyaojha effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal AT asthapokharel effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal AT anusuyaaaradhanapanthee effectofweedmanagementpracticesoncitrusgrowthandcostofproductionatyoungmandarinorchardinpalpanepal |