Research paper productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by weed and nitrogen management under semi-arid conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Agronomy research farm, Jobner, Rajasthan, to assess the effect of weed-management practices and nitrogen fertilization on productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Pooled results indicated that, 2 hand-weeding treatment (HW)-25 and 45 days after sowing (DAS)-was the most superior treatment in reducing the weed dry matter and weed count, and significantly improved the growth and yield-attributing characters of wheat and net returns. This treatment was closely accompanied by mesosulfuron 3% + iodosulfuron 0.6% @ 14.4 g/ha. Among weedmanagement practices, the highest grain and straw yields (4.65 t/ha and 5.72 t/ha) were obtained with 2 handweeding treatment. However, post-emergence application of mesosulfuron 3% + iodosulfuron 0.6% @ 14.4 g/ha was the most superior and equally effective herbicidal treatment (4.46 t/ha and 5.24 t/ha). Nitrogen fertilization at 90 kg/ha significantly improved the growth and yield attributes as well as yield of wheat over preceding levels. However, it remained at par with 135 kg N/ha.