Vol. 5 No. 1
Weed management through leguminous herbs for sustainable leaf production in mulberry (Morus alba L.) var. S-1 under irrigated condition.
Author(s): G. C. SETUA, M. SETUA, N. D. BANERJEE, A. K. DUTTA, S. DEBNATH, J. K. GHOSH and S. RAJE URS
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Berhampore West Bengal during 2001-2003 to develop a sustainable weed management practice through the use of leguminous herbs in mulberry under irrigated, alluvial condition. Analysis of pooled data for 8 seasons revealed that 6 monocotyledonous weeds with dominant Poaceous plants recorded 86.9% population while 16 dicotyledonous weeds registered 13.1% population. The weed population was found more (64.4%) on 35 days after pruning (DAP) and less (35.6%) on 70 DAP. In fact, once or twice weeding per crop registered minimum weed population and dry weight of weed biomass, maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, optimum leaf yield and N, P and K uptake in leaves in mulberry but it was costly and economically not viable. Among the leguminous crops tested, minimum (28.83/sq.m) weed population was observed in the treatment with Vigna sinensis indicated 32.91% reduction in weed population over control (44.46/ sq. m). Dry weight of weed biomass was also found to be reduced by 38.8% in V. sinensis (15.68g/sq.m) over control (25.62/sq.m). Mulberry grown with V. sinensis, in rows, recorded maximum plant height (122.33cm), number of branches per plant, similar leaf area, marginally higher leaf yield (25401.04 kg/ha/year), similar leaf moisture, maximum N uptake (171.92 kg/ha/year), similar phosphorus uptake and maximum potassium uptake (111.28 kg/ha/year) in leaves compared to control (traditional practice). Besides, total soluble protein was significantly increased and total soluble sugar though marginally higher, was statistically at par with the control. In addition, growing of V. sinensis could save Rs. 1385/ha, resulting 41% reduction in the cost of digging-cum-weeding activity which generally practiced after application of chemical fertilizer. It also improved soil fertility through the incorporation of green biomass (32.5 mt/ha/year), providing an eco-friendly approach without affecting leaf yield and quality. Hence growing of V. sinensis in mulberry may be recommended to the farmers as a weed control measure under irrigated condition.
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