P. K. SINGH, RAJESH SINGH AND PRADEEP PRASAD*
Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agricultural Technology & Sciences, Allahabad-211 007
(U. P.), India
*(e-mail : parmod-1700@yahoo.com)
(Received : January 17, 2017; Accepted : March 21, 2017)
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was carried out at KVK, Khadigram, Jamui (Bihar) during rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to
evaluate different sowing methods and herbicides application on growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment consisted of 26 treatments each replicated thrice. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (Factorial). PBW-502 variety of wheat was used at a seed rate of 125 kg/ha. The two sowing methods were Zero tillage and Conventional tillage and 13 weed management practices. The results of the experiment showed that zero tillage significantly recorded maximum pooled values of growth parameters viz., plant height (27.33, 46.49 and 89.62 cm) at 30, 60 and 90 DAS. Similarly, significant variation was observed for plant dry weight (1.45, 9.95 and 49.30 g) at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively, which was significantly higher than that recorded in conventional tillage. Among weed management practices, treatment W12 (Sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha+metsulfuron methyl 4 g/ha) significantly recorded maximum values of plant height (27.20, 49.07 and 92.62 cm) at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively, followed by treatment W8 (Clodinafoppropargyl 60 g/ha+carfentrazone ethyl 20 g/ha) which was found to be at par with treatment W12. Similarly, plant dry weight also differed significantly at different intervals and recorded maximum values of 1.56, 11.0 and 48.1 g at 30, 60 and 90
DAS, respectively, followed by treatment W8. Interaction effect of sowing methods and weed management practices showed non-significant effect on plant height at different intervals but showed significant effect on plant dry weight at 90 DAS. Maximum pooled value of plant dry weight (53.99 g) at 90 DAS was recorded under treatment T12 (ZT+sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha+metsulfuron methyl 4 g/ha) followed by treatment T8
(ZT+clodinafop-propargyl 60 g/ha+carfentrazone ethyl 20 g/ha). Zero tillage significantly recorded minimum pooled values of weed density as 58.54, 35.07 and 20.74 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively. Similarly, weed dry weight also showed significant variation at different intervals and recorded minimum pooled values as 8.44, 10.84 and 6.06 g at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively. Among weed management practices, treatment W12 recorded minimum weed density and weed dry weight which was significantly superior to other treatments. However, treatment W8 was found to be at par with treatment W12. Yield and economics of wheat also showed significant variation in zero tillage method, weed management practices and their interaction effect recorded maximum values as 3.6, 3.80 and 4.25 t/ha of grain yield, respectively. Similarly, straw yield significantly differed among sowing methods and weed management practices and recorded highest pooled value in treatment S1, W12 and T12. Highest net returns (Rs. 48,574.41) and B : C ratio (1.69) were observed in ZT method of sowing. Among weed management practices, maximum B : C ratio (1.79) was observed in treatment W12 which was superior to all other treatments including weed free treatment. On the basis of the study, it may be concluded that sulfosulfurn 25 g/h+metsulfuron 4 g/ha can be used for effective weed control and zero tillage method of sowing would be beneficial to farmers of Indo-Gangetic Plains as their wheat crop will not be delayed.
Key words :Zero tillage, conventional tillage, herbicide, weed control efficiency