Crop productivity and soil health as influenced by organic sources of nutrients and weed management in rice (Oryza sativa)potato (Solanum tuberosum) Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cropping system under irrigated condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 201516 and 201617 under different organic sources of nutrients and weed management in rice (Oryza sativa L.)potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cropping system with 6 sources of nutrients as main-plot treatments and 4 weed-management practices as sub- plot treatments. Among the organic sources of nutrients, application of 100% organics [100% recommended N (Rec. N) through different organic sources each equivalent to 1/3 of Rec. N, i.e. FYM + vermicompost + non-edible oil cake] + vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM), recorded significantly maximum individual crop yield, rice- equivalent yield (REY), system profitability, microbial population, soil organic carbon and available nutrients. Appli- cation of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] seed meal @ 5 t/ha resulted in registered significantly higher yield of crops, REY, microbial population and soil organic carbon. However, the parameters like system profitability (303.85 and 364.03 `/ha/day), net returns (110,904 and 132,872 `/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (0.76 and 0.91) were recorded higher in the weed free plots.