Weed management practices on C. dactylon L. in Mulberry plantation

Studies were taken up to assess the relative intensity of Cynodon dactylon in the farmers field, to develop an effective management package for this weed and to assess the impact of weed management practices on economic parameters of silkworm. Weed count in the farmers field ranged from 6 to 19 per square meter with an average of 13.55. Initial total weed density ranged between 19.30 and 22.60 per square meter. Initial dry matter production of Cynodon dactylon ranged between 6.40 and 9.60 of per square meter. The treatment comprising of hand weeding and intercropping with cowpea, recorded the lowest weed population, dry matter production and the total weed control efficiency ranged between 76.6% and 52.6% while the efficacy against Cynodon dactylon ranged between 77.8% and 37.2%. Cowpea intercropping recorded maximum growth and yield parameters in mulberry. The leguminous intercropping had a significant and positive influence on larval and cocoon parameters which recorded the highest values of larval weight (2.82 g), single cocoon weight (1.26 g), shell ratio (17.05%), single cocoon filament length (872.90 m) and denier 2.48.