Utilization of congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) for soil fertility enhancement and improved productivity of potential crop sequences in West Bengal

Abstract

The invasive alien weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. is posing serious threat to agriculture as well as public health in India. Management of this pernicious weed is possible through utilization as compost, green manure or mulch that helps to improve soil health and crop productivity. Keeping this background in view, a field experiment was conducted during 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), West Bengal to utilize Parthenium either as green manure or as mulch in potential crop sequences of new alluvial zone of West Bengal. Three levels of nutrients viz. recommended dose of NPK + green manuring of Parthenium @ 5 t ha-1 (N1), recommended dose of NPK + mulching of Parthenium @ 5 t ha-1 and its subsequent incorporation (N2) and only recommended dose of NPK (N3) were applied in three different crop sequences viz. Black gram - Transplanted rice - Onion (CS1); Sesame - Transplanted rice - Chickpea (CS2) and Okra - Transplanted rice - Rapeseed (CS3) under medium land situation having irrigation facility. The experiment was conducted in RBD with three replications in a plot size of 5 m x 3 m. The results revealed that application of NPK at recommended dose along with either green manuring or mulching of Parthenium @ 5 t ha-1 effectively improved the productivity of all crops grown under crop sequences as well as soil fertility status. The possible reason of increased productivity of crops grown in sequence on addition of Parthenium biomass might be due to better availability of plant nutrients, improved soil and plant health. The management of invasive alien weed Parthenium may also be done by utilizing the same as compost etc. and this will also create an opportunity of employment generation in the rural & municipal areas of West Bengal.