Tillage and Crop Residue Management on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Direct Seeded Rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the effect of tillage and residue management on weed dynamics and productivity of direct seeded rice with four tillage systems; Conventional tillage in rice and wheat, Zero tillage in rice and wheat and two rotational tillage sequences that alternated between Conventional tillage and Zero tillage whereas four residue management practices; residue applied in both season, residue applied in kharif season only, residue applied in rabi season only and without residue in both season. The experiment was carried out at research farm of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Results revealed that in direct seeded rice having highest grain yield (10%), straw yield (8%) and yield attributes (10-15%) as well as lesser weed density and weed dry matter found under Conventional tillage during both the seasons of experiment but performance of zero tillage was slightly better (3-4%) in second year as compared to all treatments. Whereas surface retention of residue @5 tonne/ha was significantly more effective in controlling different category of weeds, it decreased up to 60-75% weed population, resulting increment in grain yield up to 19% and 23% during first and second year, respectively, as compared to plot receiving no residue.