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Subject: Agronomy × Author: Gill, Prabhsimran Kaur × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Weed management and water productivity of Napier Bajra hybrid (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum glaucum) in relation to mulch and irrigation regimes
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Gill, Prabhsimran Kaur; Tiwana, U.S.
    The present study “Weed management and water productivity of Napier Bajra hybrid (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum glaucum) in relation to mulch and irrigation regimes” was carried out at Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in kharif 2014 and 2015. Experiment (Expt.) I investigated critical period of crop-weed competition in Napier Bajra hybrid in split plot design with three replications; two planting materials (root slips and stem cuttings) in main plot and ten weed infestation durations [weed infested till initial 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 days after planting (DAP) and weed free for initial 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 DAP] in sub plot. In Expt. II, weed intensity and performance of Napier Bajra hybrid keeping four levels of paddy straw mulch (no mulch, mulch @ 5 t ha-1, 7.5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1) in main plot and three irrigation schedules (IW/CPE ratio of 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2) in sub plot was evaluated in split plot design with three replications. In Expt. I, planting materials and weed infestation durations significantly influenced the growth and yield of Napier Bajra hybrid. Root slips recorded significantly higher green (417.7 and 433.5 q ha-1) and dry (78.7 and 82.6 q ha-1) fodder yield over stem cutting in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The green and dry fodder yield were significantly higher in treatment kept weed free throughout the season that was at par with treatment kept weed free up to 40 days, 30 days and kept weedy up to 10 DAP. The reduction in green fodder yield in control (weedy check) was observed by 44.6 and 41.7 % than weed free conditions during 2014 and 2015, respectively among different weed infestation durations. The critical period of crop-weed competition was found to be 10-30 DAP on the basis of different weed infestation durations. Gompertz and logistic equations fitted to yield data in response to increasing period of weed control and weed interference that showed root slips (4-32 days) had longer critical period of 6 days that stem cutting (5-27 days). However, Napier Bajra hybrid planted with root slips significantly overcome the weed pressure than stem cutting. The nutrient uptake of Napier Bajra hybrid was improved in crop planted with root slips and significantly increased in treatments kept weed free throughout the season that was at par with crop kept weed free for 40 days, for 30 days and kept weedy for 10 days during both years. In Expt. II, the results revealed that significantly higher green, dry fodder yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and lowest weed intensity were recorded under mulch level of 10 t ha-1 and it was being at par with 7.5 t ha-1 mulch application. Irrigation schedule of 1.2 IW/CPE ratio produced maximum green and dry fodder yield that was at par with IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. The WUE was significantly higher under irrigation schedule at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8 followed by IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. Irrigation applied at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 saved 7.5 cm irrigation water over IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 during hot summer months of April-June. Whereas, during the entire season (April-November), irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 saved 22.5 cm irrigation water over IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 during 2014 and 2015 without significant reduction in fodder yield of Napier Bajra hybrid. The nutrient uptake and quality parameters of Napier Bajra hybrid improved significantly with mulch level of 10 t ha-1 that was at par with 7.5 t ha-1. Whereas, among the irrigation schedules, IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 was at par with IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 but was significantly higher than IW/CPE ratio of 0.8. Thus, it can be concluded that mulch level of 7.5 t ha-1 and irrigation schedule at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 significantly improved the fodder yield, WUE, nutrient uptake and quality of Napier Bajra hybrid. The crop should be kept weed free from 10 to 30 DAP to prevent the significant reduction in fodder yield.