Fertilizers, FYM, Jute, LTFE, Weed diversity, Weed management, Yield
Studies on the impact of long-term fertilizer application on changes in weed community composition are important and likely to provide insight into the effects of prolonged fertilizers on weed community structure and infestation. Nine treatments of long term fertilizers experiment, viz. (i) control (plots which did not receive NPK fertilizers or farm yard manures (FYM) (ii) 50% of recommended doses of NPK (iii) 100% NPK (recommended dose of fertilizers) (iv) 150% NPK, (v) 100% NPK + hand weeding (No herbicides application in jute, rice and wheat (vi) 100% NPK + Zn (vii) 100% NP, (viii) 100%N (ix) 100% NPK+FYM 10 t/ha/year before sowing of jute with four replication were included in the present investigation. A total of 12 weed species were recorded under different fertilizer treatments. Significantly higher total weed density (733/m2) was recorded in 100% NPK + FYM treatments compared to other treatments. Significant variation in weed species was also recorded in different fertilizers treatment. Cyperus rotundus density was comparatively higher in control, 50% NPK and 100% NPK + Hand weeding plot. Echinochloa colona density was higher in 150% NPK, 100% NPK + Zn and 100% NP. Comparatively higher broad-leaved weed density were recorded in 100% NPK + FYM. The highest Shannon-weiner index (H’=2.02), Simpson diversity index (D’=0.81) and weed species evenness (E’=0.81) were recorded in 100% NPK + FYM and the lowest (H’=1.0, D’=0.62 and E’=0.5) in control plot. Thus, weed management strategies in FYM applied jute field should be given highest priority for getting higher fibre yield.