Performance of acetachlor and anilofos + ethoxysulfuron for weed control in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa)

A field study was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1999 and 2000 to evaluate the performance of 2 new herbicides, viz. acetachlor and ready mixture of anilofos + ethoxysulfuron, on weed density, weed dry weight, yield and yield attributes of transplanted rice [Oryza sativa L.). Acetachlor at 150 g a.i./ha applied 3 days after transplanting (DAT) and ready mixture of anilofos + ethoxysulfuron at 390 g a.i./ha applied 8 DAT proved effective in controlling both types of weeds and these were found at par with butachlor at 1,500 g a.i./ha in controlling the grassy weeds. The plots treated with acetachlor at 150 g a.i./ha applied 3 DAT and anilofos + ethoxysulfuron at 390 g a.i./ha applied 8 DAT produced similar number of tillers/m², number of grains/panicle, length of panicle, 1,000-grain weight and grain yield of rice to that of plots kept weed free for whole of season during both the seasons. On an average, these parameters registered 41 and 39% higher yield during 1999 and 40 and 42% in 2000, as compared to weedy check.