Integrated weed management practices in turmeric (Curcuma longa)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2012–13 and 2013–14 at Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, to study the effect of conventional and integrated weed management [rice (Oryza sativa L.) straw mulch and mechanical weeding along with herbicides] practices on the control of weeds and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). The application of metribuzin 700 g/ha as pre-emergence followed by (fb) straw mulch 10 t/ha fb 1 handweeding (HW) 75 days after planting (DAP), being at par with pendimethalin 1 kg/ha as pre-emergence fb straw mulch 10 t/ha fb 1 HW 75 DAP and atrazine 750 g/ha as pre-emergence fb straw mulch 10 t/ha fb 1 HW 75 DAP, was found significantly more effective in controlling weeds and improving yield attributes and yield (6.7 t/ha dry rhizome; 272% and 26% increase over weedy check and farmers’ practice respectively). The application of metribuzin 700 g/ha as pre-emergence fb straw mulch 10 t/ha fb 1 HW 75 DAP also recorded the maximum net returns (392, 493/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.2). Results showed that integration of mulches and hand weeding with pre-emergence herbicides achieved the maximum yield and returns. However, pre-emergence application of metribuzin 700 g followed by rice straw mulch 10 tonnes/ha along with 1 hand-weeding at 75 days after planting proved most remunerative and economical for growing turmeric crop.