Performance and efficacy of non-chemical weed management in drum seeded rice cultivation under the Cauvery delta zone

Abstract

Weeds are the primary biological limitation in direct-seeded rice production. To address this, a field experiment was conducted in September 2024 at Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, using a split-plot design with three replications. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of different rice cultivars in conjunction with integrated weed management practices. The treatments included three main plot cultivars: TKM 13, BPT 5204 and ADT 54. Sub-plot treatments involved four weed management practices: incorporation of Sesbania aculeata, followed by cono-weeding at 30 DAS, incorporation of Crotalaria juncea followed by cono-weeding at 30 DAS, hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS and an un-weeded control. Results indicated that the rice cultivar ADT 54 with Sesbania aculeata incorporation followed by cono-weeding at 30 DAS which is effectively reduced weed density and weed dry weight and higher weed control efficiency while simultaneously increasing growth, yield attributes and rice grain yield. The un-weeded control treatment consistently resulted in the lowest growth, yield attributes and overall yield of rice in DSR under the Cauvery delta zone.