Effect of seed-furrow mulching, nitrogen and weed management on seedling emergence and yield of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum)

An experiment was conducted during winter (rabi season of 1989-90 and 1990-91 to study the effect of seed-furrow mulching, nitrogen levels and weed management on seedling emergence and yield of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Application of farmyard manure (FYM) @ 50 q/ha as seed-furrow mulch raised the soil temperature by 0.6 to 1.2 degrees C in seedling zone over no mulching. Seed-furrow mulching enabled the germination of seeds 2-3 days earlier than no mulching and significantly increased the germination-rate index, emergence-rate index and germination velocity, but germination (%) was unaffected by seed-furrow mulching. Basal nitrogen rates and pre-emergence application of pendimethalin (1.0 kg/ha) did not show significant effect on germination-rate index, emergence-rate index, germination velocity and germination (%). Seed-furrow mulching with FYM applied @ 50 q/ha resulted in higher grain yield than the lower level of mulching and no mulching. Highest level of N (100 kg/ha) resulted in significantly higher grain yield than the lower levels (50 or 75 kg/ha). Herbicides (pendimethalin or isoproturon) or hand-weeding (30 days after sowing) gave significantly higher grain yield than weedy check.