Integrated Weed Management Using New Generation Herbicides for Enhancing Growth and Yield of Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Background: Rice is a major staple crop globally and plays a vital role in India’s food security and agricultural economy. However, the increasing shift from puddled transplanted rice to direct-seeded rice due to water and labour constraints has intensified weed management challenges, which significantly affect crop growth and yield. Aims: The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of new generation herbicides combined with manual and mechanical weed management practices on growth attributes and yield of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). Place and Duration of Study: The field study was conducted in the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu from June - October, 2023. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and comprised of nine treatments viz., bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + pretilachlor 6% GR @ 10 kg ha-1, triafamone 20% + ethoxysulfuron 10% WG @ 225 g ha-1, bispyribac sodium 10% SC @ 200 ml ha-1 with manual and cono weeding. Results: Among the various weed management practices, bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + pretilachlor 6% GR @ 10 kg ha-1 on 7 DAS followed by manual weeding on 40 DAS recorded higher plant height (105.14 cm), no of tillers (12.56 hill-1), leaf area index (5.79), crop dry matter production (11.94 t ha-1), grain yield (5.30 t ha-1) and straw yield (7.55 t ha-1). Conclusion: The study suggests that integrating pre-emergence herbicide application with timely manual weeding is an effective and sustainable weed management strategy for improving the productivity of direct-seeded rice.