Author(s): A. K. DOLAI, R. K. GHOSH, 1M. K. BHOWMICK AND 2P. K. GHOSH

Abstract: Congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is rapidly spreading in many countries around the world. The weed has become a serious threat to nature as well as managed ecosystems. An experiment was conducted during summer, kharif and rabi seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at the Viswavidyalaya “C” Block Farm, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal to determine the suitability of Parthenium utilization either as green manure or as mulch along with recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) in improving crop productivity and soil health rather than eradication or control of the weed. The results revealed that either green manuring or mulching of Parthenium @ 5 t ha-1 along with recommended dose of NPK would have the ability for enhancing productivity potentials of important crop sequences by improving soil microflora status possibly due to addition of weed biomass which resulted in better aeration and improved soil physical condition.

Download Full Article: Click Here