Weed Smothering in Mustard (Brassica spp) by its High-Density Uniform Broadcast Sowing

Manual weed control in mustard is very expensive because of its high labour requirement i.e., 150-250 labourers/ha. Chemical again imposes environmental hazards. Mechanical not still that popular till date. Due to severe competition, the yield reduction Indian may go as 70 per cent. Thus zero using high-density sowing (HDS) was studied different farmers’ field, at ICAR-CRIJAF, North 24 PGS and Purulia, from 2018-2022. Fast growing high- density uniform canopy (100-200 m2) developed early stages hinders sunlight penetration (up 99.98 cent) below (at 35- 40 days), leading scanty under growth composite species harvest, those germinate or grow canopy. Weed population reduced by 92 97 cent harvest. It only 10-80/m2 harvest over 350-1000/m2 weedy situation initial germination. The dicot biomass matured 81-99 percent (5-150g/ plots (500-800/ m2). Reduction effective flowers/pods weeds were up 99.5 percent. Proper agronomic management practices HDS e.g., seed rate, date sowing, uniformity irrigation fertiliser application will eliminate herbicide manual weeding mustard. Nearly 80 plants remain active saves labours /ha depending on Mustard grain ranged 15-30 q/ha varieties used. This smothering merit can be used for eco friendly other wide spaced field/horticultural crops dwarf variety (Toria).