Effect of Different Planting Techniques and Weed-control Measures on Growth Yield and Weed Control of Rice in North Eastern Plain Zone of India

A field experiment was conducted at IARI Regional Station, Pusa, Bihar during 2013–14 and 2014–15 to evaluate the performance of different herbicides under various planting techniques in NEPZ of India. The experiment was conducted in Split Plot Design allocated three crop establishment methods (Puddled Transplanted Rice, Direct Sowing Rice, Bed Planting, and System of Rice Intensification) in main plots and eight weed control measures including one weedy check in sub-plots and replicated thrice. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) recorded the lowest weed density and weed dry weight as compared to other methods of planting. Significantly highest yield attributes and yields were recorded under System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method followed by Puddled Transplanted Rice (PTR) and lowest values were recorded in Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Among the chemical weed control measures, application of Bispyribac sodium + Pyrazosulfuron (100 ml + 100 ml) was highly effective in controlling the weeds as its recorded lowest weed density and weed dry weight of 5.67 m⁻² and 8.13 g m⁻² followed by application of Bispyribac sodium + 2,4-D. Significantly higher weed control efficiency and weed control index were observed with the application of Bispyribac sodium + Pyrazosulfuron (100 ml + 100 ml) (61.32% and 62.79%, respectively) followed by Bispyribac sodium + 2,4-D treated plots. Significantly, highest numbers of effective tillers m⁻² and grains per spike were recorded when weeds were controlled by two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAT and were at par with Bispyribac sodium + Pyrazosulfuron. The highest grain yield was observed with the tank mix application of Bispyribac sodium + Pyrazosulfuron which was at par with tank mix application of Bispyribac sodium + 2,4-D and sole application of Bispyribac sodium and significant over rest of the treatments.