Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2024 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to assess the effect of various rice establishment methods and weed management strategies on weed ecology, crop growth, yield attributes, and the overall productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment followed a split-plot design with 3 establishment methods; transplanted rice (TPR), puddled direct seeding (WDSR) and un-puddled dry direct seeding (DDSR) in main plots and 4 weed management treatment; weedy check, mechanical weeding, chemical weeding and weed free in sub-plots. The findings revealed that DDSR recorded the highest weed density and biomass, which could be attributed to the lack of puddling and standing water conditions. In contrast, TPR was more effective in suppressing weed population, thereby achieving the lowest weed density, enhanced weed control efficiency (WCE) and superior yield performance. Among weed control methods, weed free was most effective, showing the lowest weed infestation and highest grain yield, followed by chemical weeding. TPR combined with weed free also recorded the highest net returns and B:C ratio (2.56). In contrast, weedy check plots showed maximum yield losses. The study concludes that TPR along with weed free treatment shows most efficient and profitable strategy.