Effect of nutrient and weed management practices on the yield attributes, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment entitled “Effect of nutrient and weed management practices on the yield attributes, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum)” was carried out during the rabi season of 2024-25 at the Instructional Farm, Dau Kalyan Singh College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bhatapara (C.G.), to evaluate the influence of nutrient and weed management practices on yield attributes, yield and economics of wheat. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot-design with three replications, comprising four nutrient management treatments N₁: 100% RDF, N₂: 150% RDF, N₃: 100% RDF + Biofertilizer, and N₄: 150% RDF + Biofertilizer and four weed management practices S₁: Weedy check, S₂: Two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, S₃: Ready-mix clodinafop-propargyl 60 g ha^-1 + metsulfuron-methyl 4 g ha^-1 at 25-30 DAS, and S₄: Ready-mix clodinafop-propargyl 24 g ha^-1 + metribuzin 42 g ha^-1 at 25-30 DAS. The results revealed that yield attributes such as spike length, grains ear^-1, 1000 seed weight, grain yield, and straw yield were significantly influenced by nutrient management. Application of 150% RDF + Biofertilizer produced the highest yield attributes and yield, followed by 150% RDF. Among the weed management practices, treatment 2 Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (S₂) recorded significantly higher yield attributes viz., spike length, number of grain ear head^-1, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and straw yield under study. Treatment Weedy check (S₁) recorded the lowest value of these parameters. Interaction effects between nutrient and weed management practices were found non-significant for yield attributes and yield. Economic analysis indicated that 150% RDF + Biofertilizer (N₄) achieved the highest gross returns (₹83,868 ha^-1), net returns (₹41,069 ha^-1), and B:C ratio (1.96). Among weed control options, two hand weeding (S₂) was most profitable, recording gross returns of ₹84,391 ha^-1, net returns of ₹43,745 ha^-1, and a B:C ratio of 2.08. Conversely, weedy check (S₁) resulted in the lowest economic gains. Overall, the study highlighted the superiority of integrated nutrient management with 150% RDF + biofertilizer in combination with effective weed management, particularly two hand weeding, for maximizing wheat productivity and profitability under Chhattisgarh conditions.