Effect of Rice Straw on Weed Populations, Biomass and Yield of Wheat under Zero and Conventional Tillage Practices

Author: Nesar Ahmad Nesar, R. Puniya, B.R. Bazaya, Vikas Sharma, B.K. Sinha, Tuhina Dey and B.C. Sharma

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Abstract

Weeds are unwanted and undesirable plants that absorb nutrients faster and in greater quantities than crop plants, reducing crop yield even at higher fertilizer rates. Consequently, promising weed management approaches are required to enhance wheat productivity. Keeping this in mind, afield experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, SKUAST- Jammu during Rabi season of 2020-21 to study the effect of rice straw on weed populations, biomass and wheat yield under zero and conventional tillage practices. The experiment was conducted in a factorial RBD comprising zero and conventional tillage as factor A and five paddy straw treatments viz., S1: 6t /ha paddy straw, S2: 6 t/ha paddy straw plus 25kg/ha extra nitrogen over recommended dose, S3: 6t/ha paddy straw plus PUSA decomposer, S4: 6t/ha paddy straw plus 25kg/ha extra nitrogen over recommended dose plus PUSA decomposer and S5: no straw (control) as factor B. The results revealed that zero tillage recorded considerably lower total weed population and biomass and higher grain and straw yield than conventional tillage. However, among paddy straw treatments, all straw containing treatments noted significantly inferior weed population and biomass as compared to no residue (control). Treatment S4: 6t/ha paddy straw plus 25 kg/ha extra nitrogen over recommended dose plus PUSA decomposer recorded significantly higher gain and straw yield as compared to other treatments but it was statistically at par with S2: 6 t/ha paddy straw plus 25 kg/ha extra nitrogen over recommended dose. Hence, it concluded that use of rice straw as mulch as is promising options for management of weeds and realizing higher wheat productivity instead of residue burning which cause numerous environmental and health issues.

Keywords

Wheat productivity, weed population, Weed biomass, straw retention, straw incorporation and Tillage

Conclusion

Based on a one-year study, it was concluded total weed populations and biomass was significantly reduced under zero tillage as compared to conventional tillage. while, among residue management use of 6 t/ha paddy straw with 25 kg/ha extra nitrogen and PUSA decomposer observed significantly lower total weed populations and biomass and provided highest grain and straw yield. Therefore, use of paddy straw as mulch with zero tillage or incorporation with conventional tillage along with extra nitrogen and PUSA decomposer is an eco-friendly option for weed management in wheat, which increased wheat productivity. On other hand, it could be safe and environmentally friendly alternative to burning paddy straw, which has negative environmental and health consequences.

References

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How to cite this article

Nesar Ahmad Nesar, R. Puniya, B.R. Bazaya, Vikas Sharma, B.K. Sinha, Tuhina Dey and B.C. Sharma (2023). Effect of Rice Straw on Weed Populations, Biomass and Yield of Wheat under Zero and Conventional Tillage Practices. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 57-63.