COMPETITIVENESS OF HORSE PURSLANE (Trianthema portulacastrum L.) WITH GROWTH AND YIELD OF COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton crop is an important, cash and fiber crop of Pakistan. Its raw material and other products are exported to other countries. Horse purslane is one of major weed responsible for yield reduction. Research trial was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture Multan during Kharif, 2018 to compare the effect of horse purslane on cotton growth and yield. The study was conducted using the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were; plots maintained horse purslane free for whole season, for 30 days after sowing (DAS) and for 60 DAS, horse purslane and other weeds free for whole season, for 30 DAS and for 60 DAS, weedy check (containing horse purslane only), weedy check (containing all weeds except the horse purslane) and weedy check (all weeds including horse purslane). Weed density and dry bimass, crop growth and yield related parameters were recorded following standard procedures. Horse purslane reduced the height of cotton plants by 26.51%, crop growth rate by 28.44%, total dry matter 28.46% and lint yield by 45%. Treatment having horse purslane and other weeds free for whole season performed best in experiment. Highest benefit cost ratio (1.70) was observed for plots that were kept free from horse purslane and other weeds till 60 DAS.