Weed management for enhancing yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Eastern India

Abstract

Weed menace is very prominent in wheat sown after the harvesting of rice in rice-wheat cropping system. An experiment involving four crop establishment methods and six weed management practices was undertaken in a splitplot design with three replications at the Research Farm of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The residue-based crop establishment methods were found most effective in minimising density and dry weight of weeds. Besides minimising weeds, the residuebased crop establishment methods also proved better for yield attributes, yield and gross returns. Among different herbicidal treatments, the mix application of mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron adjudged superior recorded lowest density and dry weight of weeds with highest yield attributes, grain and straw yield (3854 and 5592 kg/ha) and economics attributes. Based on the obtained results, it is said in the conclusion that residue-based crop establishment methods and mix application of mesosulfuron+iodosulfuron was best in managing weed and enhancing yield and economics of wheat in the eastern India.