Integrated weed management in dry direct-seeded rice: Assessing the impacts on weeds and economics in the sub-montane zone of Maharashtra

Studies revealed that, in comparison to puddled transplanted rice, direct seeded rice system can reduce overall labour requirements by 11-66% and irrigation water needs by 35-57%. Heavy weed infestation is the major problem faced by the farmers in DSR, which in severe cases results in full crop loss and diminishes the economic return. Integrated weed management treatments resulted in significant reduction in weed intensity and dry matter accumulation with higher weed control efficiency as compared to UWC. Among the integrated weed management treatments at 14 DAS, monocot weeds, dicot weeds, and sedges were efficiently controlled by all the integrated weed management treatments. Whereas, pretilachlor 30.7% EC at 0.450 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 25 DAS fb hand weeding at 40 DAS (T₈) and oxyfluorfen 23. 5% EC at 0.150 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 25 DAS fb hand weeding at 40 DAS (T₃) indicated the lowest weed intensity than any other treatments at the later stages of the crop up to harvest. Among the integrated weed management treatments, lowest weed dry matter at harvest was observed for pretilachlor 30.7% EC at 0.450 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 25 DAS fb hand weeding at 40 DAS (T₈) and oxyfluorfen 23. 5% EC at 0.150 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 25 DAS fb hand weeding at 40 DAS (T₃), whereas the maximum was found with oxyfluorfen 23.5% EC at 0.150 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 30 DAS (T₁) and pretilachlor 30.7% EC at 0.450 kg/ha at 2-3 DAS (PE) fb hoeing at 30 DAS (T6). Amid the weed species found in the UWC, Alternanthera sessilis (37.7%) and Dinebra retroflexa (34.8%) had the maximum contribution to the weed dry matter observed at harvest.