Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, during rabi seasons for two years (2008-10) to assess the microflora population in the rhizosphere of potato as influenced by weed management practices. Pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 300 g a.i. ha-1 recorded minimum weed population as well as biomass. Potato tuber yield was maximum in oxyfluorfen @ 300 g a.i. ha-1 (35.032 t ha-1) which is statistically at par with oxyfluorfen @ 200 g a.i. ha-1 (34.706 t ha-1). Excluding atrazine @ 1000 g ha-1 and pendimethalin @ 1500 g ha-1, no phytotoxicity in potato plants was observed in the herbicidal treatments. No detrimental effect on soil micro-flora (total bacteria, actinobacteria and fungi) was observed in the long-term though herbicides decreased the micro-flora population initially.

Keywords: Weed management, Herbicide, Potato, Yield, Microflora