Vol. 8, Special Issue 6 (2025)
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of integrated weed management practices on rice crop growth, yield, and economic returns. The research aimed to assess weed interference, growth parameters, and the economic viability of various weed control treatments. A range of treatments including manual weeding, chemical control with Pendimethalin and Bispyribac-Na, and their combinations were analyzed. The results demonstrated that frequent hand weeding at 15, 30, and 45 days after transplanting (DAT) significantly improved plant height, tiller number, panicle production, and grain yield, while reducing weed population. This approach yielded the highest grain output per hectare (5,200 kg/ha), gross monetary returns (₹ 1,10,240 ha⁻¹), and net returns (₹ 59,935.7 ha⁻¹). In contrast, the control weedy check, with no weed management, resulted in the poorest crop performance across all parameters, emphasizing the detrimental effect of weed competition. Chemical treatments, especially Pendimethalin as pre-emergence, also enhanced crop performance but were slightly less effective than intensive hand weeding. The combination of Pendimethalin with hand weeding provided the best economic efficiency with a benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 2.23, indicating the advantages of integrated weed management for optimal rice production and profitability.
