Assessment of wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth, yield and economics under varying nutrient and weed management options

A field experiment was carried out during rabi seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the effect of nutrient and weed management on crop growth, yield and economics of wheat. Experiment was carried out in factorial randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. First factor, nutrient management comprised of three levels viz., control, 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and 75% RDF + biofertilizer (BF) consortia and second factor weed management comprised of five levels viz. weedy check, Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron 5% WG @40 g/ha (ready mix) at 28-30 DAS of wheat, hand weeding at 45 DAS + Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron 5% WG) @40 g/ha (ready mix) at 28-30 DAS, mulch + hand weeding at 45 DAS and weed free check. Crop growth, yield attributes and grain yield (4.63 and 4.48 t/ha) of wheat were recorded higher under 100% RDF and these were at par with 75% RDF + BF and the lowest growth and yield was reported under control. The plant growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield were highest under weed free check and those were at par with hand weeding + sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron and sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron. Gross returns were significantly higher with 100% RDF over 75% RDF + BF and control but net returns and B: C with 100% RDF were at par with 75% RDF + BF over control. Significantly higher net returns and B:C was obtained with Sulf + Mets and HW + Sulf + Mets. It was concluded that 75 % RDF + biofertilizer consortia application in along with Sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron ready mix use met the nutrition and weed management requirement in wheat and gave higher growth, productivity and profitability of the crop.