Effect of Weed Management and Vermicompost on Growth Dynamics of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of weed management practices and vermicompost application on growth dynamics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, comprising thirteen weed management treatments in the main plots and two vermicompost levels in the sub-plots. Pooled analysis of two years indicated that weed management practices significantly influenced growth and growth indices of fenugreek. The weed-free treatment recorded the highest plant height (66.27 cm) and number of branches plant⁻¹ (6.10), whereas the weedy check registered the lowest values at harvest. The maximum dry matter accumulation at harvest (18.35 g plant⁻¹) was obtained under oxadiargyl 100 g ha⁻¹ PE followed by hoeing at 40 DAS, representing an increase of 84.27 per cent over the weedy check (9.96 g plant⁻¹). Crop growth rate during 30–60 DAS and 60–90 DAS was also significantly enhanced under these treatments. Oxadiargyl 100 g ha⁻¹ PE recorded the highest RGR during 60–90 DAS. Application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha⁻¹ significantly increased dry matter accumulation, CGR, and RGR compared with the control. Significant interaction effects between weed management and vermicompost were observed for dry matter accumulation, CGR, and RGR. The study concluded that integration of oxadiargyl 100 g ha⁻¹ PE followed by hoeing at 40 DAS with vermicompost @ 5 t ha⁻¹ is an effective strategy for improving growth and biomass production of fenugreek under southern Rajasthan conditions.