Comparative Analysis of Mulching and Weed Management Practices on Nutrient and Weed Dynamics of Kharif Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

The present field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mulching and weed control methods on the nutrient and weed dynamics of Kharif Sorghum. The research was conducted in the Agronomy farm of Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, during the summer of 2023. The experiment utilized a randomized block design with three replications. A total of six treatments were used, each with different amounts of treatment applied to assess the effects on the growth, yield, and weed characteristics of sorghum. The growth metrics, including plant height, leaf count, stem circumference, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content, saw significant improvement as a result of the amplified influence of mulching and weed management. Treatment T1, which excluded weeds, yielded the greatest plant height (134.69 cm), number of leaves (8.73), stem girth (10.14 cm) at harvest, leaf area index (7.78), and chlorophyll content (53.74) at 90 days after sowing (DAS). The T1 treatment, which was free of weeds, had the most favorable production characteristics. The grain yield was recorded at 2.15 t.ha-1, the straw yield at 4.59 t.ha-1, and the harvest index at 22.54%. The highest protein concentration was observed as 10.84% in T1 (Weed free) and 10.73% in T2 (Sugarcane trash). In addition, the characteristics of the weed, including the number of weeds, the effectiveness of weed management, and the weight of the weeds, were shown to be highest in dicots at 120 days after sowing (DAS). Treatment T1, which involved the complete removal of weeds, exhibited no weed population and achieved the maximum level of weed control effectiveness and dry weight. The study’s findings indicated that the use of T1 (Weed-free) treatment had a substantial influence on different growth, yield, and weed characteristics. Effective management of essential inputs, such as cultivation, fertilizers, and weed management, is vital for improving overall productivity and stability