Weed Management Strategy in Rice - A Review

Concentrated research efforts are being made by the scientists around the world to adopt, apply and evaluate the methodology for improving rice yield. Rice is the most Important cereal crop and is extensively grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and is staple food for more than 60 per cent of the world population. Most of the improved crop management practices in rice fall due poor care of weed flora present in rice field. In India rice is cultivated on an area of 43.40 million hectares with an annual production of 86 million tons. However, rice productivity in India is very low (1,780 kg ha⁻¹) as compared to other rice growing countries There are several reasons for its low productivity, and out of that losses caused due to weeds is one of the most important. Weeds compete for an adequate supply of the nutrients, moisture, light, heat energy (temperature) and the growing space. Successful weed management for rice crop becomes much more important in order to exploit its maximum production potential as it is a serious constraint.