Integrated Weed Management in Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Regional Spices Research Centre, BARI, Magura during the cropping season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to find out the best management practices for controlling the weed of turmeric. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nine different treatments and a control plot were studied. Significant differences regarding yield and yield attributes were observed among different treatments. The results revealed that Cyperus rotundus was the major weed constituting 51% of the total weed flora. All treatments brought significant reduction in the count of weeds over control. The lowest number of these weeds was recorded in glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha treated plot. The highest fresh yield (64.63 t/ha in 2021-22 and 58.28 t/ha in 2022-23) was found from treatment T5 (glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha) and the lowest yield (20.16 kg/ha in 2021-22 and 20.07 in 2022-23) was found from control plot T10. Maximum weed control efficiency (91.97%) was found from treatment T5 (glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha).   Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was highest under glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha (3.75) followed by T6 (Paraquat @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW (70 DAP) + straw mulch 5 t/ha (3.33).