Weed Status of Potato in Alluvial Belts of West Bengal and its Suitable Management

A weed survey conducted on some major potato growing alluvial regions of West Bengal during 1994–95 revealed that Chenopodium album L., Portlliaca oleracea L., Melilotus alba L. and Cypems rotundus L. were the dominant weeds and till now most of the farmers are using mechanical method (hand weeding) to control them. A field investigation conducted during rabi seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97 to find out a suitable control measure of the dominant potato weed flora revealed that metribuzin applied at 0.8 kg ha⁻¹ at 3 DAP recorded the maximum of 24927.0 kg ha¹ and 79.01% higher tuber yield over unweeded control (13925.4 kg ha⁻¹). This treatment also recorded maximum mean benefit: cost ratio of 1.52: 1, whereas the next best hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAP resulted in average yield of 23842.2 kg ha⁻¹ and benefit: cost ratio of 1.20: 1.00.