Nutrients removal by weeds and wheat crop under semi-arid climate of Punjab, India

AbstractTo evaluate the nutritional losses from weed infestation in wheat crop under semi-arid climate of Punjab, a study was carried in Bathinda district of South-West Punjab. Weed infestation does not significantly influence the soil, pH, EC and organic C of the soil. The values of all nutrients were higher at farmer’s field compared to research farms; event though, they belong to similar soil category as per soil fertility. The nutrients mean value was 156.6 kg N/ha, 8.9 kg P/ha, 148.9 kg K/ha and 27.2 kg S/ha for studied locations. However, the average value for N, P, K and S was 136.5, 8.3, 129 and 26.64 kg/ha, respectively under weed infested fields and 147, 8.66, 136.8 and 27.9 kg/ha under weed free fields, when compared with same location fields. Similarly, the mean value for Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn was 5.46, 0.53, 0.99 and 4.43 mg/kg, respectively under weed infested fields of surveyed area. However, slightly higher values were recorded under weed free locations (at research farm locations) with mean value of 5.44, 0.55, 0.91 and 3.97 mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn, respectively. Whereas the mean value at the research farm locations was 5.41, 0.53, 0.88 and 3.91 mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn under weed infested fields.