Summary The effects of weed removal at five dates after planting the crop were examined and compared with weed‐free and unweeded controls. The results revealed that the total weed population increased up to 6 weeks after planting and then decreased drastically in both the years. Total dry weight of weeds (at weeding and at haulm‐cutting) was greatest in the unweeded control, followed by weeding at 10 weeks after planting. In both years, maximum yield was obtained where plots were kept weed‐free, followed by weeding at 4 and 6 weeks after planting. The remaining treatments, including weeding at 2 weeks after planting, resulted in significant reductions in tuber yield. In unweeded control plots the tuber yield of potato was reduced by 40–43%.

Fennel (Foeniculum oulgare) is the major spice/condimental crop of Haryana, generally used in India for preparing pickles and in vegetable cooking. Flowers were tagged at anthesis, fennel seeds (local variety) were collected at 1-week intervals after 40 days from anthesis for studying biochemical constituents. Moisture and protein contents decreased significantly with the advancement of seed development. Oil content ranged from 68 to 135.7 g kg-' (dry weight basis), which increased with seed development. The oil content was greater in mature seeds. The presence of phytate (11.35-13.10 mg g-') was also observed, which affects the availability of Zn and Fe. Fennel seeds were found to be a rich source of micro-and macroelements. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and lignin contents increased significantly with the advancement of seed development. Oleic and linoleic fatty acids were found to be major fatty acids and variable proportions of different fatty acids were observed.

A B S T R A C T Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L ) is an important spice crop and is used inIndian diets. Physiological characters of plants and biochemical constituents like structural carbohydrate and phytate were studied in developing coriander (var Narnaul and Panth) seeds. Moisture decreased with advancement of seed development. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent Jibre, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin levels increased with maturation of seed in both coriander varieties. Signgcant variations were observed in biochemical constituents between varieties and during different stages of seed development. The presence of phytate did not vary at different stages of seed development. The height of plants varied from 134 to 139 cm with 10 branches. Umbels varied ,from 89 to 99 with an average of six umbellets. Narnaul seed weight was double that of the variety Panth.

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