Nutrient and weed management practices effect on growth, nodulation, yield, economics and energetics of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during Rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to study the effect of nutrient management and weed management practices on yield and nutrient status. The highest crop stand was under 100% RDF i.e. 17.35 and 18.1 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 17.73 and in untreated control i.e. 18.48 and 18.81 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 18.65.The maximum number of nodules and nodule dry weight were obtained under 100% RDF. Pre-emergence application of metribuzin 0.4 kg ha-1 + oxyfluorfen 0.3 kg ha-1produced the maximum number of nodules and nodule dry weight. Application of 125% RDF gave the maximum net returns (44282ha-1 and 58688 ha-1during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 51485ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (3.03 and 3.45 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 3.24). Pre-emergence application of metribuzin 0.4 kg ha-1+ oxyfluorfen 0.3 kg ha-1 gave the maximum net returns ( 61176 ha-1 and 75130 ha-1 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 68153 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (3.65and 3.98 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 3.82). The maximum energy intensiveness (2.07 and 2.20 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 2.13) was under application of 125% RDF. Amongst the weed management practices, the maximum energy intensiveness (2.39 and 2.45 during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively with mean of 2.42) was under pre-emergence application of metribuzin 0.4 kg ha-1 + oxyfluorfen 0.3 kg ha-1.