Spinoffs in Mechano - Chemical Approach of Weed Management Practices in Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorious)

One of the most important pre-kharif crop in eastern plains is jute. Weed can deplete 70-80% of the crop yield. An experiment was conducted at Mondouri Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India, during summer season of 2018 and 2019. The design of experiment was Randomized block design with 3 replications and 7 treatments with variety JRO-524 (Navin) for weed control comprised –T1: Pretilachlor 50 EC at 900 ml/ha with irrigation after 48 hrs of sowing + one hand weeding at 15 days after sowing, T2: Quizalofop ethyl 10 EC at 38 g/ha at 15 days after sowing + one hand weeding at 30 days after sowing, T3: Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha + Ethoxysulfuron 10 EC at 100 g/ha at 15 days after sowing, T4: Propaquizafop 10 EC at 90 g/ha at 15 days after sowing+ one hand weeding at 30 days after sowing, T5: Nail weeder at 7 days after sowing + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 30 days after sowing, T6: Un-weeded check and T7: Two hand weeding at 15 and 30 days after sowing. Sowing was done on 28th April 2018 and 30th April in 2019. Predominant monocot weeds were Digiteria sanguinalis, Echinochloa colona, Elusine indica, Cyperus rotundus and dicot weeds were–Digera arvense, Cleome viscose and Physalis minima. Among the treatments, twice hand weeding gave the highest fibre yield alongwith maximum Weed control efficiency, Weed control index, Crop resistance index, Herbicide efficiency index followed by nail weeder induced weed management at 7 days after sowing coupled with herbicide spray of Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC at 60 g/ha at 30 days after sowing which resulted in maximum net return (Rs. 110222/- per ha) with a corresponding highest benefit cost ratio (2.40) and enriched soil microbes population. Considering bio-efficacy of applied treatment, economics and microbial study, nail weeder along with post emergence herbicide application at 30 days after sowing can be advocated for higher revenue as well as better soil health replenishment.