Effect of nutrient and weed management on weed dynamics, performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and monetary returns

Abstract

Wheat is the most important food grain crop among cereals and stands next only to rice in our country. It has significantly contributed in the success of the green revolution and has greatly helped to transform our country from a situation of ship to mouth to being set-sufficient. Wheat is a good supplement for nutritional requirement of human body as it contains 9-10% protein and 60-80% carbohydrates. A field experiment was conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of nutrient and weed management on weed dynamics, performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and monetary returns. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The rabi season experiment comprised of four levels of nutrient viz.; control (No NPK), 100 % NPK, 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-G @ 25kg/ha (soil application) and 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-L @ 625 ml/ha foliar spray each at 55&70 DAS and four levels of weed management measures viz; weedy check, two hand weeding, Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl @ 20 + 4 g a.i. ha-1 and Carfentrazone-ethyl + Sulfosulfuron @ 20 + 25 g a.i. ha-1. Soil was sandy loam in texture with pH 7.6. Available N, P and K were 245.6, 13.4 and 185 kg ha-1, respectively. Result indicated that growth parameters viz.; plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulations were influenced significantly by nutrient and weed management practices. Yield attributes viz.; Effective tillers, spike length, number of grain/spike, number of spikelets/spike and 1000-grain weight influenced significantly through nutrient and weed management practices. The significantly higher number of yield attributes and yield was with the application of 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-L @ 625 ml/ha foliar spray each at 55&70 DAS followed by 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-G @ 25kg/ha (soil application) and significantly higher than control and 100% NPK. While reduction in weed density and dry matter accumulation was highest with application of 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-L @ 625 ml/ha foliar spray each at 55&70 DAS and it was more economical due to higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. Among the weed management practices, weed control treatments gave significantly higher yield attributes compared to weedy check. Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl @ 20 + 4 g a.i. ha-1 was found more effective over Carfentrazone-ethyl + Sulfosulfuron @ 20 + 25 g a.i. ha-1. Grain yield exhibited significant variation under nutrient and weed management practices. The mean contribution of Phalaris minor in total weed population at 30 DAS was 14.58, 8.17 and 3.35 per cent over control in 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-L @ 625 ml/ha foliar spray each at 55&70 DAS, 100 % NPK + Bio-stimulant-G @ 25kg/ha (soil application) and 100% NPK. Weeds density tended to decline with advancement in crop age irrespective of the treatments. All weed control treatments gave significantly higher wheat yield compared to weedy check. Among the herbicide application of Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl @ 20 + 4 g a.i. ha-1 comparable with two hand weeding was superior to Carfentrazone-ethyl + Sulfosulfuron @ 20 + 25 g a.i. ha-1. Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl @ 20 + 4 g a.i. ha-1 better weed control, higher nutrient uptake resulted in higher yield, net returns and B:C ratio. Therefore, a combination of 100% NPK + Bio-stimulant-L @ 625 ml/ha foliar spray each at 55&70 DAS and Sulfosulfuron + Metsulfuron Methyl @ 20 + 4 g a.i. ha-1, may be recommended for better weed control, higher yield, higher productivity and net returns.