Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Weed Management Techniques in Rabi Greengram (Vigna Radiata L.)

Modern agriculture depends on improved crop varieties and supplementary energy sources like fertilizers, fuels, chemicals, and water to increase yields. However, these advanced technologies consume more energy and are less efficient than traditional practices. There is a necessity of energy balance studies to make agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable while promoting environmental conservation. Using a calorific measurement system, energetics studies quantify both inputs and outputs. So, a study was conducted on Energy balance studies of different weed control practices through chemical, mechanical and manual approaches in greengram at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during rabi, 2020-21. By analyzing both direct and indirect energy consumption, the study determined the energy dynamics associated with each approach. Results indicated that while intercultivation with a power weeder at 20 days after sowing (DAS) required higher energy input, the weed-free check exhibited the highest energy output. Superior values of Energy ratio, Energy productivity and Productivity per day were also recorded with the weed-free check treatment followed by imazethapyr 10 % SL + quizalofop ethyl 5 % EC (tank mix) @ 125 g a.i ha-1 as post-emergence (PoE) at 20 DAS and pendimethalin 30 % EC + imazethapyr 2 % EC combination @ 960 g a.i ha-1 as pre-emergence (PE).