Effect of propanil on control of complex weed flora in direct- seeded rice

A field experiment was carried out at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during kharif season of 2015 and 2016 to study the bioefficacy of different doses of Propanil 35% EC against mixed weed flora in direct - seeded rice. The soil of experimental site was silty clay loam in texture, medium in organic carbon (0.66%), available phosphorus (27.5 kg/ha) and potassium (243.5 kg/ha) with pH 7.3. In the present study most dominant weeds were: Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli and Brachiaria ramosa among grasses, Celosia argentea, Trianthema monogyna, Amaranthus viridis, Cleome viscosa, Eclipta alba and Commelina benghalensis among broad leaved weeds. Cyperus iria, Cyperus difformis and Fimbristylis miliacea in sedges. The results revealed that total weed density was significantly reduced by propanil 4000, 3000 and 2000 g/ha as compared to rest of the herbicidal treatments. Significantly lower weed dry weight and higher weed control efficiency was also recorded with propanil 4000, 3000 and 2000 g/ha than rest of the treatments. Propanil 4000 g/ha recorded highest grain yield which was statistically at par with its lower doses at 3000 and 2000 g/ha and twice hand weeding over weedy check.