Growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by organic weed and nutrient management practices in Western Rajasthan

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 at College of Agriculture, Sumerpur (Rajasthan) to study the effect of organic weed management and organic nutrient management treatments practices on maize (Zea mays L.)in split plot design with 3 replications.The two years mean data revealed that the minimum weed infestation (79.1%) and maximum weed control efficiency (93.1%) was recorded in weed free check as against weedy check among various weed management treatments at harvest. Most of the growth attributes, grain (3.36 t ha-1) and stover (6.26 t ha-1) yield of maize were significantly affected by weed management and nutrient management practices and found maximum in weed free check maintained up to 60 DAS closely followed by stale seedbed+ hoeing once at 20 DAS + straw mulch applied @ 5 t ha-1 at 30 DAS against weedy check. The application of vermicompost @ 75% of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN i.e. 90 kg N equivalent) in two splits (75% at sowing +25% as top dressing at 30 DAS) along with seed treatment with fermented beejamurt and two sprays of jeevamurt registered significantly hgher growth parameters besides grain yield of 3.17 t ha-1as compared to 100% RDN through FYM. The mean gross return, net return and B:C ratio were significantly affected by various weed and nutrient management practice and maximum values were recorded with weedy check and 755% RDN through vermicompost + STB + JT, respectively.