Non-chemical Weed Management in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.): Non-chemical Weed Management Strategies in Dry Direct Seeded Fine-grain Aerobic Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

A field trial to compare the non-chemical weed management approach in dry direct seeded fine rice with the chemical methods was conducted at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during Kharif, 2009. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Results revealed that manual weeding recorded maximum (99 %) reduction in total weed density and dry weight. Nominee 100SC suppressed weed density and dry weight by >75% over control. Among non-chemical weed management strategies, soil incorporation of sorghum residues at 8 t ha-1 accounted for 52 and 58 % reduction in above said weed attributes. Maximum yield (4.17 t ha-1) was recorded by manual weeding. Manual weeding gave highest net benefits (Rs. 127217 ha-1), while Nominee 100SC scored maximum (23076 %) marginal rate of return.