Integrative Weed Management Tactics for Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Direct-Seeding in Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills

Abstract

Aims: Weed infestation is the major problem in wide adoption of direct-seeding technology by rice farmers. Integration of herbicides with different manual and mechanical methods only can be a permanent solution of weed problem in direct-seeded rice. Study Design: Randomized block design was taken with three replications for this field experiment. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out during kharif, 2019 at the Experimental Farm of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Methodology: The treatments were comprised of eight post-emergence weed management treatments including hand weeding twice at 20 days after sowing (DAS) and 40 DAS, respectively and weedy check treatment. All the treatments were allocated randomly in each replication. Results: Spraying of bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 DAS + conoweeder at 40 DAS was best in decreasing the infestation of grassy weeds such as Eleusine indica and Echinochloa colona and a sedge weed, Cyperus rotundus during the crop growing period except hand weeding. But broadleaved weeds such as Alternanthera sessilis and Ludwigia parviflora were controlled more effectively with metsulfuron methyl 10% WP + chlorimuron ethyl 10% WP at 4 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 DAS + conoweeder at 40 DAS than the earlier treatment. Highest grain yield (3155.67 kg ha-1), gross monetary return (Rs 57736 ha-1), net monetary return (Rs 1140 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1.91) were registered under the spraying of bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 DAS + use of conoweeder at 40 DAS among the chemical and integrative weed control options. Conclusion: The spraying of bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 DAS followed by use of conoweeder at 40 DAS could be the best sustainable option to control the weed infestation in direct-seeded rice.