Studies on mulching and weed management in unpuddled transplanted rice Oryza sativa L

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the principal source of food for more than half of the world s population. Crop under unpuddled transplanting faces severe weed infestation due to less tillage and lack of submergence at the time of transplanting. In this system, season-long effective weed control need to be taken for better crop growth and yield. Research indicates that there is good potential to reduce both herbicide dose and the number of herbicide applications when they are utilized within competitive cropping systems. Good agronomic practices and competitive crops help to suppress existing weeds and reduce its population over time. The recent trend of herbicide use is to find out an effective weed control measure by using low dose high efficiency herbicides which will not only reduce the total volume of herbicide use but also the application become easier and economical. Integration of mulching and herbicides can provide good weed management options in unpuddled transplanted hybrid rice. newline