Integrated weed-management practices in white jute (Corchorus capsularis)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seaosn of 1995 and 1996 a t Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Application of fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha 3 days bef ore sowing supplemented with 1 hand-weeding 4 weeks after sowing, followed by 2 wheel-hoeing at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing (urea top dressing at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing) recorded the lowest weed density, weed dry weight an d N uptake (14.4/m(2), 81 g/m(2) and 11.3 kg/ha respectively). Fibre yield, net return and benefit: cost ratio were higher with this treatment. Highes t N uptake of weeds was with fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha at 3 days before sowing , followed by 2 wheel hoeing at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing (urea top dressi ng twice at wheel hoeing), whereas fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha at 3 days before sowing, followed by I light hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing and 2 whee l hoeing at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing (urea top dressing twice before whee l hoeing) recorded maximum N uptake (41.1 kg/ha) by jute crop. The increase of jute fibre yield ranged from 40.3% to 69.1% due to different weed-manag ement practices over unweeded check.