Weed management in rice raised with different sowing techniques

Field experiment was conducted on the experimental area of the Department of Agronomy, Agrometeorology and Forestry during 2001–2002 to compare different direct seeded planting techniques of rice with the recommended practice of transplanting in puddled field and to find out effective weed management approach. On the basis of two years data it may be concluded that direct seeding with broadcast method in puddled field was found to reduce weed infestations and hence, increased seed yield by 21.4 percent over direct sowing (broadcast) with zero till technique without puddling. Transplanted crop produced significantly more yield than direct seeding of rice and this recommended practice increased seed yield by 47.7, 54.7 and 54.9 per cent (average of 2 years) over direct seeding (broadcast) in puddled conditions, direct sowing in zero till conditions in lines and with broadcasting technique. Weeds are very serious problem in direct seeded rice and the use of alone herbicides (pretilachlor or pendimethalin) do not provide satisfactory control and these are to be integrated with one or two hand pulling operations in order to reduce crop weed competition.