On-Farm Study on the Efficacy of Weed Management Treatments on Wheat under Irrigated Agro-Ecosystem of Jharkhand, India

Abstract

An on-farm trial was conducted during rabi (winter) seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the farmers’ field. To test the OFT on weed management technology in wheat developed by the Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur. The efficacy of post-emergence application (PoE) of metsulfuron-methyl @ 4 g/ha, 2, 4-D ethyl ester 0.75 kg/ha followed by (fb) one manual hand weeding at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and 2, 4-D ethyl ester @ 0.75 kg /ha in managing weeds and improving productivity and economics of irrigated wheat was studied in comparison with the farmer’s practice (one hand weeding at 40 DAS). The metsulfuron methyl @ 4g/ha PoE had significantly reduced the density of broad-leaved weeds (BLWs) and sedges and resulted in higher grain yield (34.4%), gross returns (INR 97.6×103/ha), net returns (INR 50.1× 103/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.05), economic efficiency (INR 385.9/day/ha) and production efficiency (28.8 kg/ha/day) in comparison to farmer’s practice. Thus, it may be concluded metsulfuron methyl @ 4g/ha PoE is effective and economically feasible practice in wheat of tribal farming community under the irrigated agro-ecosystem of Jharkhand.