Effect of fertilizer and weed management on nutrient economy and yield of wheat (%ticum aestivum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 1996-97 and 1997-98 to study the effect of fertilizer levels and weed management on nutrient economy and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Fertilizer rate of 160, 80 and 60 kg N, P and Wha recorded significantly higher yield attributes, i.e. tillersfm row length, ear length, grainsfear and grain yield, but failed to achieve significant increase in net return over 120, 60 and 40 kg N, P and Wha which accrued the maximum benefit : cost ratio. Among the weed- management practices, though hand-weeding resulted in significantly higher yield attributes and grain yield than 2, 4-D and mixture of isoproturon and 2, 4-D, the differences in net returns were non-significant. Weed control through herbicides recorded significantly higher benefit : cost ratio than hand-weeding. The yield obtained at lower levels of fedilizer with effective control of weeds was at par with the yield obtained even at the highest level of fertilizer (160, 80 and 60 kg N, P and Wha) under weedy check. Fertilizer levels recorded significantly higher weed count and weed dry biomass than no fertilizer treatment. Among the weed-control treatments, minimum weed dry biomass and higher weed-control efficiency were recorded in hand-weeded plot. The herbicides tested were equally effective in controlling the weeds and providing the grain yield.