Effect of herbicides and nutrient management practices on weeds, nutrient depletion and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the Meerut during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11, to evaluate the effect of different herbicides and nutrient management practices on weeds and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized block design, replicated thrice with 4 nutrient levels viz.; control (No NPK), 50% NPK + FYM 15 t /ha, 75 % NPK + FYM 10 t /ha and 100 % NPK and 5 weed control measures viz.; Pendimethalin 1.0 kg /ha, Fenoxaprop + metsulfuron-methyl (100 + 4 g/ha), Fenoxaprop + carfentrazone (100 +10 g/ha), two hand weeding (25 & 45 DAS) and weedy check. The results revealed that 75 % NPK + FYM 10 t /ha resulted in significantly reduced the density and biomass of weeds as compared to control treatment. The highest grain and straw yields were recorded with application of 75 % NPK + FYM 10 t /ha, which was at par with 100% NPK. Among the weed control treatments gave significantly higher wheat yield compared to weedy check, but application of Fenoxaprop + carfentrazone (100 +10 g/ha) comparable with two hand weeding was superior to all other weed control treatments. This treatment having better weed control, higher nutrient uptake resulted in higher yield, net returns and B:C ratio comparable with two hand weeding. Therefore, a combination of 75% NPK + FYM 10 t /ha and Fenoxaprop + carfentrazone (100 +10 g/ha) may be recommended for better weed control, higher yield, higher productivity and net returns.