Weed management in turmeric (Curcuma longa) through integrated approaches

Abstract

A field study was conducted at Ludhiana during 2006-07 and 2007-08 and at Nawanshah during 2007-08 to find out effective and economical approaches for weed management in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Pre-emer- gence pendimethalin 1.0 kg, metribuzin 0.70 kg and atrazine 0.75 kglha, each integrated with one hoeing at 60 days, paddy straw mulch 6 t and 9 tlha; paddy straw mulch 6 t (recommended), 9 tlha alone and 6 tlha + two hoe- ing at 60 and 90 days; three hoeing at 30, 60 and 90 days and unweeded control were evaluated. Losses in rhi- zome yield due to weeds vary from 63.9 to 76.5%. Straw mulch 9 tlha significantly reduced weed dry matter and recorded 29.2% higher rhizome yield than 6 tlha. Averaged over two locations, pendimethalin + straw mulch 9 tlha revealed the highest weed control efficiency (84.2%), fresh rhizome yield (29.6 tlha), herbicide efficiency index (1 1.2), net returns (103 0 l o 3 Rslha) and benefit : cost ratio (2.30) and was at par with metribuzin and atrazine, both integrated with straw mulch 9 tlha. The fresh rhizome yield with straw mulch 9 tlha + herbicide combination was 48.2, 14.9, 15.3 and 225.5% higher than straw mulch 6 t, 9 tlha alone, 6 tlha + herbicide and unweeded con- trol, respectively. Different weed control measures led to 104.8ii289.1, 72.7ii220.4 and 90.5A278.1% increase.in N, P and K uptake by crop, respectively, over unweeded control. Uncontrolled weeds removed 60.6, 59.9 and 73.6% of total nutrients utilized by both crop and weeds. Integrated use of paddy straw mulch 9 tlha with either of pendimethalin 1.0 kg, metribuzin 0.70 kg and atrazine 0.75 kglha was adjudged very effective for weed control and attaining the highest productivity and profitability in turmeric.