Effect of tillage and weed-management options on productivity, energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v59i3.5637Keywords:
Bed and flat planting, Energy, Soybean, Tillage, Weed managementAbstract
A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2008 at New Delhi, to evaluate the effect of tillage and weed management on productivity, energy relations and economics of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril]. The maximum grain yield of soybean (2.3 t/ha) was recorded in conventional tillage raised-bed. Among weedmanagement treatments, the maximum grain yield of 2.2 t/ha was recorded with treatment involving pendimethalin + 1 hand-weeding (HW). Weed-management treatments significantly influenced the energy relations in soybean crop. The highest energy output (99.2 × 103 MJ/ha) was recorded in conventional tillage (CT) - raised bed, which was closely followed by CT flat-bed (97.6 × 103 MJ/ha). The highest energy output of 105.5 × 103 MJ/ha was obtained under weed-free treatment, while the lowest output was obtained in the control (83.6 × 103 MJ/ha). There was 26.2% higher energy output owing to control of weeds. The maximum net returns of 30,614 was obtained under conventional tillage raised-bed planting, closely followed by zero tillage raised-bed ( 29,674). Application of pendimethalin + 1 HW was found more remunerative with net returns of 28,019/ha, followed by application of only pendimethalin ( 27,840). Energy requirement in conventional tillage was 31.3% higher than the zero tillage flat-bed. Net energy output was the maximum in conventional tillage raised-bed, while maximum energy-use efficiency was obtained on zero tillage raised-bed system of planting.
References
Baishaya, A. and Sharma, G.L. 1990. Energy budgeting of rice–wheat cropping system. Indian Journal of Agronomy 35(1 and 2): 167–77.
Dhillon, S. S., Prashar, A. and Thaman, S. 2004. Studies on bed planted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different nitrogen levels and tillage methods. Journal of Current Science 5: 253–56.
Filipovic, D., Silvio, K., Zlatko, G.O., Robert, Z. and Djuro, B. 2006. The possibility of fuel saving and reduction of CO2 emission in the soil tillage in Croatia. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment 115(1–4): 290–94.
Jain, N., Mishra, J.S., Kewat, M.L. and Jain, V. 2007. Effect of tillage and herbicides on grain yield and nutrient uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and weeds. Indian Journal of Agronomy 52(2): 131–34.
Mittal, J.P. and Dhawan, K.C. 1988. Research manual on energy requirements in agricultural sector, pp. 20–23, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
Sharma, A.R. and Behera, U.K. 2006. Conservation tillage and modified crop establishment techniques for improving resource use efficiency and productivity in different cropping systems. Golden Jubilee National Symposium on Conservation Agriculture and Environment held during 26–28 October 2006, organized by Indian Society of Agronomy, New Delhi. pp. 7–11.
Singh, M.K., Pal, S.K., Thakur, R. and Verma, U.N. 1997. Energy input–output relationship of cropping systems. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 67(6): 262–64.
