Department of Agronomy, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh 224 229.
An experiment was conduced during rainy (kharif) season of 2003 and 2004 to find out the best weed-control practice and crop-establishment method of rice (Oryza saiva L.). Mean plant height was highest (83 cm) in zero tillage. Highest value of leaf-area index (3.28) was recorded in transplanting, as well as the highest mean grain yield (55 q/ha), the latter being 45.5, 4.5, 26.7 per cent more than that in dry seeding, drum seeding and zero tillage respectively. Among weed-management practices, herbicide + two hand-weedings gave the highest grain yield (60.96 q/ha), and transplanting and herbicide + two hand-weedings gave the highest straw yield. The population as well as dry weight of weeds were higher in dry seeding and zero tillage. The highest weed-control efficiency (70.80%) was recorded in herbicide + two hand-weedings, followed by two hand-weedings, the highest net profit (Rs 22,344/ha) was obtained from the combination of drum seeding with herbicide + two handweedings. However, the highest value of benefit: cost ratio (1.66) was recorded in the treatment with drum seeding with two hand-weedings.
Rice, Establishment method, Zero tillage, Drum seeding, Weed management
