Effect of cross ploughing on weed control of direct seeded rice in Manipur

Field experiments were conducted at Research Farm, Central Agricultural University, Imphal during kharif 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of cross ploughing on weed control of wet-direct seeded rice in Manipur. Maximum plant population was observed in control and once hand weeding without cross ploughing treatments as compared to other treatments. But maximum number of panicles per metre square, grain and straw yield were significantly higher in cross ploughing thrice followed by cross ploughing twice than the other treatments after cross ploughing. Plant populations as well as number of weeds were significantly lower in the treatment cross ploughing thrice at 25 days after sowing. Thus cross ploughing twice at 25 days after sowing of wet-direct seeded rice was found to be the best economic method of weed control for obtaining highest B: C ratio with minimum cost of cultivation in both the years. This weed control method of cross ploughing in wet-direct seeded rice is of great significance in conserving the natural resources and maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural production system.