Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth and yield parameters of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Abstract

Among the production constraints weed infestation has been recognized as major one, resulting in about one third reduction in crop yields. Herbicides have become a popular choice amongst the farmers for managing weeds in almost all the crops. However with the increasing incidences of herbicide resistance, use of herbicides alternately or in mixtures has been recommended. Keeping this in mind the present experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of CSKHPKV, Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during kharif seasons of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the influence of weed management practices on nutrient uptake by weeds and crop in transplanted rice. Results of the study revealed that significantly highest uptake of all the three major nutrients (NPK) by rice was recorded with the application of penoxsulam + butachlor @ 717.5 g ha-1 though this treatment was at par with all other herbicide treatments except in treatment where butachlor was applied as well as weed free treatment while lowest uptake of all the major nutrients was recorded in weedy check plot. Nutrient uptake by the crop followed the trend of the grain yield. As for the nutrient uptake by weeds is concerned, significantly higher uptake of all the three nutrients was recorded from the weedy check while significantly lowest uptake was from weed free treatment. Amongst different herbicide treatments lowest uptake by weeds was recorded with penoxsulam + butachlor @ 717.5 g ha-1 though it was at par with all other herbicide treatments except butachlor @ 1500 g ha-1.