Effect of different non-chemical methods of weed management practices on growth and yield parameters of organic rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to standardize the effect of different non-chemical methods of weed management practices on growth and yield parameters in organic rice [CO (R) 50]. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and 10 treatments. Results revealed that the higher values of growth parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers/m2, leaf area index, dry matter production and yield parameters viz., productive tillers, number of filled grains/panicle, number of unfilled grains/panicle, panicle weight and grain yield were recorded under mulching with biodegradable polyethelene sheet and this was at par with application of rice bran at 2 t/ha on 3 DAT followed by (fb) hand weeding on 35 DAT. Reduction in growth and yield parameters was recorded by unweeded check. Higher root length, root volume and root dry weight were recorded in hand weeding on 15 DAT followed by azolla inoculation on the same day and considered as remunerative in organic rice as it gave the higher B: C ratio.