Effect of Different Planting Methods and Weed Management Practices on Yield and Economic of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and Weed Population, Weed Dry Matter Accumulation, Weed Control Efficiency, Weed Index, Nutrient Content and Uptake by Weeds

A field experiment was laid out on mustard (Brassica juncea L.) with different planting methods and weed management practices on College Farm of N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari throughout rabi season of 2014-15. Treatments were replicated thrice as per randomized block design with factorial concept. The treatment 45 cm x 10 cm with normal planting (P2) registered significantly higher values of seed yield (1851 kg ha-1), stover yield (3808 kg ha-1) with highest net realization of ₹ 52874 ha-1 and benefit: cost ratio (BCR) of 3.29 remained at par with treatment of 30/60 cm x 10 cm with paired row planting (P3) in case of seed and stover yield with net return of ₹ 49614 ha-1 with BCR of 3.15. Total weed population and dry weight of total weeds were significantly lowest under narrow row spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm with normal planting (P1). Likewise, significantly higher values of seed yield (2085 kg ha-1), stover yield (4230 kg ha-1) with maximum economical gain of ₹ 60458 ha-1 and BCR of 3.41 and lowest values of total weed population, dry weight of total weeds, weed index with better weed control efficiency were obtained with application of Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ha-1 as PE + Quizalofop - P - ethyl @ 0.04 kg ha-1 at 20 DAS + HW and IC at 40 DAS (W4) but it was at par with treatments of W3 (Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ha-1 as PE + HW and IC at 40 DAS) along with net realization by ₹ 59587 ha-1 with BCR of 3.53 and W2 (Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ha-1 as PE + Quizalofop - P - ethyl @ 0.04 kg ha-1 at 20 DAS) along with net realization 56082 ha-1 with BCR of 3.51 in case of seed and stover yield. The chemical analysis of weed plant indicated that the removal of nutrients through weeds was lowest in narrow row spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm (P1) and treatment W4 viz., Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ha-1 as PE + Quizalofop - P - ethyl @ 0.04 kg ha-1 at 20 DAS + HW and IC at 40 DAS. Hence the crop sown with wider row spacing and weed management with integration of all methods showed favourable growth leads to higher yield of mustard.