Weed dynamics, productivity and profitability of wheat as influenced by tillage and weed management practices in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is infested with several grassy and broad-leaf weeds which create competitive stress resulting in yield losses varying from 10-70% depending upon their density. A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2021-22 at the Research Farm, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India to assess the effect of tillage and weed management practices on weed dynamics, yield and economics of wheat. The experiment was carried out in a split plot design, replicated thrice. The main plot comprised of two tillage methods i.e., conventional tillage and zero tillage while subplots consisted different herbicide combinations i.e., weedy, weed free, pinoxaden 5.1% EC 20 g/ha, carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF 20 g/ha, clodinafop-propargyl 15% WP EC 60 g/ha, carfentrazone-ethyl 20% DF 20 g/ha + pinoxaden 5.1% EC 20 g/ha, carfentrazone-ethyl 20% DF EC 20 g/ha + pinoxaden 5.1% EC 20 g/ha, metsulfuron-methyl 20% WP 4 g/ha + clodinafop-propargyl 15% WP 60 g/ha, metsulfuron-methyl 20% WP 4 g/ha + pinoxaden 5.1% EC 20 g/ha. The low weed density and biomass along with higher grain yield were recorded under zero tillage as compared to conventional tillage. Similarly, zero tillage recorded lower cost of cultivation ( 33702 /ha), higher net returns ( 69381 /ha) and B: C ratio (2.07). Among herbicide combinations, the treatment metsulfuron-methyl 20% WP 4 g/ha + clodinafop-propargyl 15% WP 60 g/ha followed by metsulfuron-methyl 20% WP 4 g/ha + pinoxaden 5.1% EC 20 g/ha resulted in higher weed control efficiency, yield, net returns and B:C ratio.