Weed Dynamics in Bt cotton under Moisture Conservation and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

Abstract

A field investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of moisture conservation practices [flat bed sowing, ridge and furrow, broad bed and furrow (BBF) and poly mulch on BBF] and integrated nutrient management treatments [Farmer’s practice, 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) of 150:60:60 NPK kg ha-1, 125% RDF, 100% RDF along with 25% N through Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or press mud] and their combined effect on weed dynamics of Bt cotton at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Telangana, India. The experiment was laid out in strip-plot design and replicated thrice. Pooled data of the two years (2015 and 2016) indicated that poly mulch on broad bed (M4) registered significantly lower weed density and dry weight at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and it was followed by broad bed and furrow (M3) which was at par with flat bed (M1) and ridge and furrow (M2) methods. Among nutrient management practices, lower weed density was recorded with the application of 100% RDF (S2) followed by 125% RDF (S3) and 100% RDF (S5) along with pressmud equivalent to 25% RDN (S5). However, the interaction effect on weed density and drymatter was found to be non-significant at 30 DAS. Contrary to this, at 60 and 90 DAS, the interaction was found to be significant. At 60 DAS, poly mulch on broad bed (M4S2) along with 100% RDF and poly mulch on broad bed (M4S3) along with 125% RDF recorded lower weed density over other treatment combinations. At 90 DAS also similar results were observed with respect to weed density. However, lower weed dry weight was observed with poly mulch on broad bed (M4S3) along with 125% RDF.