Integrated Nutrient and Weed Management on Nutrient Content, Uptake and Soil Fertility of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) Production in Eastern Sub-Himalayan Plain of India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2019-20 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal to study the effect of integrated nutrient and weed management on nutrient content, uptake and soil fertility of buckwheat production. Results indicated that nutrient content, uptake and soil fertility status were significantly influenced due to effect of integrated nutrient and weed management. Significantly highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake recorded with 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1 × Rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 applied at 2 DAS which was at par with 100% RDF × Rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 applied at 2 DAS and 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1 × Oxyfluorfen 23.5 EC @ 0.2 kg ha-1 at 2 DAS + One Hoeing at 40 DAS. The lowest was observed with control. The highest available soil nitrogen was observed with Vermicompost @ 3.0 t ha-1× Rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 applied at 2 DAS (198.7 kg ha-1). The lowest available soil nitrogen was recorded with control (176.0 kg ha-1). The available soil organic carbon content, soil phosphorus and exchangeable potassium observed non-significant in differences. Higher B:C ratio was observed with 100 % RDF combined with all the weed management treatment (3.87-3.52) followed by 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1 (2.43-2.62) and Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 (1.41-1.64) in combination with all the weed management treatment except control (1.84).