Impact of method and levels of fertilizer application and weed management on nutrient economy and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2002–03 and 2003–04 at Pusa, Bihar, to study the impact of fertilizer and weed-management practices on nutrient economy and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Placement of fertilizers significantly reduced weed dry biomass, NPK depletion by weed and increased yield attributes, grain and straw yields, net return, net return/rupee investment and NPK uptake by crop than broadcast method of fertilizer. Application of 125% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (150:75:50 kg N:P:K/ha) recorded significantly higher weed dry biomass, grain and straw yields, net return and NPK uptake by crop than recommended (120:60:40 kg N:P:K/ha) and 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (90:45:30 kg N:P:K/ha). However, net return/rupee investment increased significantly only up to recommended dose of fertilizer. Hand-weeding recorded significantly higher plant height, leaf-area index, tillers/m², grains/ear, grain and straw yields than mixture of 2,4-D + isoproturon, but was at par with those recorded under sulfosulfuron. Sulfosulfuron recorded lowest weed population, weed dry biomass, NPK depletion by weed and highest weed-control efficiency. Placement of recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in significantly higher grain yield than broadcast of 125% of the recommended dose of fertilizer, Similarly, recommended dose of fertilizer under weed-control treatments recorded significantly higher grain yield than 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer under weedy check. Weed-control treatments also recorded higher protein content in grain.