Herbicide effectiveness and crop yield responses in directseeded rice: insights into sustainable weed management

Background : Conventional method of rice cultivation has proven to be resource intensive, limiting its long term sustainability. On the contrary direct seeding offers a potential rice establishment method provided its increased susceptibility to weed infestation is taken care of. Objective : The principle aim of this study was to evaluate both pre- and post-emergence herbicides for effective weed suppression, while optimizing time window for herbicide application. Methods : A comprehensive two year study was conducted to assess the efficacy of new generation pre- and post-emergence herbicides including pendimethalin followed by 2,4-D, penoxsulam, pyrozosulfuron ethyl + pretilachlor, triafamone + ethoxysulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, fenoxyprop p-ethyl along with weed-free and weedy check treatments. Results: All herbicides substantially reduced weed biomass by 58-94% at 45 days after sowing.