Effect of organic manures and herbicides on yield and yield-attributing characters of wheat

In a study conducted during 1999–2000 and 2000–2001, an application of organic manures increased the number of effective tillers, grain weight/ear and grain and biological yields over no organic manure in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). The highest yield was recorded under vermicompost at 15 tonnes/ha. Vermicompost at 10 tonnes/ha and FYM at 15 tonnes/ha gave equal yields. Overall increase in grain yield was 29.91, 18.81, 35.44 and 45.21% owing to FYM at 15 tonnes/ha and vermicompost at 7.5, 10 and 15 tonnes/ha, respectively, over no organic manure. Different weed-control treatments significantly improved the effective tillers and grain weight/ear of wheat. Metsulfuron at 4 g/ha and 2,4-D at 0.5 kg/ha were as effective as weed-free treatment for these parameters and for weed-control efficiency. Metsulfuron at 4 g/ha and 2,4-D at 0.5 kg/ha gave significantly more yields than the weedy check and were at par with each other. In interaction effects, vermicompost at 15 and 10 tonnes/ha gave better results under weedy conditions than FYM.