Brown Manuring Research Articles

Impact of no-till and mulching on soil carbon sequestration under rice (Oryza sativa L.)-rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. rapeseed) cropping system in hilly agro-ecosystem of the Eastern Himalayas, India

Decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) and low biomass production in sloping uplands are of growing concern for sustainable agriculture worldwide. This concern is in general in the Eastern Himalayan regions (EHR) of India in particular. A field experiment was conducted with the objectives to generate additional biomass and sequester more C in coarse-textured sloping lands. This experiment is done for four consecutive years in the EHR, India. The rice (Oryza sativa L.)–rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. rapeseed) cropping system was practiced during the first two years (2012-13 to 2013-14) and rice–rapeseed–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) system during the two following years (2014-15 to 2015-16) of the study under different tillage and mulch systems. The tillage system included: 1) CT-RI: conventional tillage (CT) with 100% residue incorporation (RI) and 2) NT-RR: no-till (NT) with 100% residue retention (RR). The mulches included 1) rice straw mulch (SM), 2) Gliricidia sp. mulch (GM), 3) brown manuring mulch (BM)–cowpea grown as intercrop with rice up to 40 days after sowing (DAS), killed with 2,4-D and 4) no mulch (NM). The cowpea, as a cover crop was introduced during 2014 and 2015 as pre-rainy season crop before the sowing of rice to generate additional biomass in the system. The four year total above ground biomass yield of rice and rapeseed didn’t vary significantly between CT-RI (31.93 and 17.40 Mg ha−1) and NT-RR (31.86 and 17.46 Mg ha−1), respectively. However, the total above ground biomass yield of cowpea was more under NT-RR (10.75 Mg ha−1) when compared to that under CT-RI (9.79 Mg ha−1). The amount of total biomass (above + below ground) and C added into the soil was more under NT-RR than that under the CT-RI. After 4 cropping cycles, the NT-RR had higher SOC concentration, pool (29.9 vs. 29.1 Mg ha−1), sequestration rate (450 vs. 265 kg ha-1 yr−1) and C retention efficiency (7.7 vs. 4.6%) than those under the CT-RI at 0–30 cm depth. The mulched plots produced more crop biomass (both above and below ground), recycled more C in soils with a trend of relatively more SOC pool (29.7–29.8 vs. 29.0 Mg ha−1), sequestration rate (391–428 vs. 221 kg ha-1 yr−1) and C retention efficiency (6.64–6.94% vs. 4.66%) than those of NM treatment. These results were seen despite difference among the mulch treatments (SM, GM and BM) which were statistically non-significant after 4 cropping cycles. Inclusion of cowpea as cover crop during pre-rainy season in the system doubled the rate of C sequestration (478 kg C ha-1 yr−1). Therefore, the data supports the recommendation of cultivation of the rice–rapeseed system under NT-RR along with cowpea intercropping up to 40 DAS (BM) in rice. Besides this, the inclusion of pre-rainy season cowpea before rice could generate additional biomass and enhance SOC sequestration on upland and sloping hills in the EHR of India and in similar conditions elsewhere.

Brown Manure Species, Weeds and Maize in a Co-Culture in the Field: Who Stands More Competitive?

Brown Manure Species, Weeds and Maize in a Co-Culture in the Field: Who Stands More Competitive?

Effects of brown manure species, seed rate and time of application of 2, 4-D on weed control efficiency, productivity and profitability in maize

Effects of brown manure species, seed rate and time of application of 2, 4-D on weed control efficiency, productivity and profitability in maize

Nitrogen fixation in summer-grown soybean crops and fate of fixed-N over a winter fallow in subtropical sugarcane systems

Legumes including soybeans (Glycine max L.) can provide substantial nitrogen (N) inputs into cropping systems when grown as a part of a rotation. However, in the wet subtropics where land is fallowed for 4–6 months after soybean crops before planting of sugarcane (Saccharum L. spp. hybrids), climatic conditions over winter can be conducive to rapid mineralisation of N from residues with consequent N losses through nitrate leaching or denitrification processes. Using 15N natural abundance methodology, we estimated N2 fixation in 12 summer-grown soybean crops in the Australian wet subtropics, and tracked the fate of soybean residue-N from brown manure crops (residue from plants at late pod-filling left on the soil surface) using 15N-labelled residue in three of these fields over the winter fallow period. Disregarding two poor crops, N2 fixation ranged from 100–290 kg N ha–1 in shoots at mid pod-filling, equating to 170–468 kg N ha–1 including estimated root N contributions. Following the winter fallow, 61 and 68% of soybean residue-N was recovered in clay and peat soils respectively, to 0.9 m depth at one location (Coraki) but only 55% of residue-N could be accounted for to 0.9 m depth in a sandy soil at another location (Ballina). In addition, around 20% of the recovered 15N at this site was located at 0.3–0.6 m depth in the soil profile. Our results indicate that substantial loss of soybean residue-N can occur during winter fallows in the wet subtropics, suggesting that winter cover crops may be necessary to retain N in fields and minimise losses to the environment.

Impact of Different Seed Rates and Knocking Down Days of Sesbania on Weed Density and Yield of Dry Direct Seeded Rice

The weed is a major constraint of dry-direct seeded rice (DDSR) due to change in establishment methods and shifting weed flora towards competitive grasses and sedges. To minimize the weed density, its species and dry weight with brown manuring and for optimizing the yield of DDSR, the experiment was conducted during monsoon season of 2014 at Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was done using a strip plot design to find the optimum seed rate and killing date of Sesbania under rice-Sesbania co-culture. Among different seed rates (60, 80, 100 kg ha-1) and knocking down days (21, 28, 35 & 42 DAS) of Sesbania, the optimum seed rate of Sesbania was 102 kg ha-1 and killing date was 32 days. The individual plot size was 5 x 4 m2. The growing of Sesbania with 100 kg seeds ha-1 along with its knocked down at 28 DAS was seen best to minimize the weeds having better performance of rice. The experiment clearly demonstrated the importance of brown manuring on effective control of weeds and on grain yield of rice under dry direct seeded rice.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(4): 359-365

Weed and nitrogen management effects on weed suppression, soil properties and crop productivity in a maize (Zea mays) - wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under conservation agriculture

Weeds and nutrients, particularly N, are two crucial aspects of conservation agriculture (CA), whose management often poses challenge. The combined effects of weed and N management have hardly been studied under CA. This experiment was undertaken to evaluate their effects on weed suppression, soil properties and productivity in a maize (Zea mays L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol) system under conservation agriculture during 2013-14 and 2014-15. Three weed control treatments as main plots and four nitrogen levels as sub-plots treatments were based on integrated weed management, soil test and plant sensor–GreenSeeker (GS)-aided approach. It was observed that the herbicide combination (atrazine + pendimethalin) and the brown manuring + 2,4-D weed management in maize resulted in 66% and 31% weed control index, respectively over weedy check. But, in wheat, clodinafop-propargyl + carfentrazone-ethyl (post-emergent) and pendimethalin + carfentrazone (pre-emergent) resulted in 81% and 58% weed control index, respectively. The mean maize grain and stover yields were increased by 12% and 8%, respectively due to the optimised GS–N treatments (N2, N3, and N4) than entire N basal application (N1). Also, mean wheat grain and straw yields increased by 9% and 8%, respectively over whole N basal application. The ‘best optimised’ GS–N (N2– 50% basal + 25% broadcast at 25 DAS + rest N guided by GS) had 6%, 7% and 15% greater mean weight diameter, saturated hydraulic conductivity and microbial biomass carbon over whole N basal application after two years of cropping. While brown manuring (maize) + herbicide combination (wheat) had 4%, 7% and 6% greater mean weight diameter, saturated hydraulic conductivity and microbial biomass carbon, respectively over herbicide combinations alone. Available N, P, and K in soil were 8%, 11% and 2% higher in the optimised GS–N treatments over entire N applied as basal. It may be concluded that the integration of brown manuring (in maize)+ herbicide combinations (in wheat), and the optimisation and synchronisation of N fertilisation can suppress weeds, enhance soil fertility with improved maize and wheat productivity.

Performance of Dry Direct Seeded Rice and Weeds on Sesbania Brown Manuring as Compared to Farmers’ Practice and Chemical Control Method

The research was conducted to study the comparison of farmers’ weed management practice in rice with chemical control and Sesbania co-culture. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and five different weed management practices. The five treatments were Farmers’ practice (two hand weeding first at 28 DAS and another at 40 DAS), Chemical practice (Bispyribac sodium as post emergence @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAS), Sesbania co-culture (100 kg Sesbania ha-1 and knocking down at 28 DAS), Weed free (Hand removal of weeds at 10 days’ interval) and Weedy check (No weed management). The individual plot size was 5 x 4 m2. The Sesbania co-culture and farmers’ practice were found more or less similar performance for all observed parameters but as better as compared to weedy check and chemical treatment. Sesbania co-culture was found less costly than farmers’ practice for weed management. The experiment clearly demonstrated the importance of brown manuring on effective control of weeds in rice field under dry direct seeded rice.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(3): 265-269

Energy budget and carbon footprint in a no-till and mulch based rice–mustard cropping system

Abstract The increase in emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) due to anthropogenic perturbation in both the agricultural and natural eco-systems are degrading the environmental quality. Conventional tillage (CT) and residue burning/removal exacerbates the land degradation and GHG emission, and the impacts are much more in the upland ecosystem than valley lands. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the energy budget, and carbon footprint (CF) of no-till (NT) and mulches under the upland rice (Oryza sativa)–mustard (Brassica campestris var. toria) cropping system over CT based system to develop a clean production technology for improving the environmental quality and conservingnatural resources. The novelty of the study is that integrated effect of NT, diverse mulches and cropping system effect has been considered together as a conservation measure for sustainable and clean agricultural practice over those of CT based technologies. The experiment comprised of two tillage systems as the main-plot and four mulch types as the sub-plot treatments under a split-plot design. Two tillage systems included: 1. CT-RI: CT with 100% residue incorporation (RI), and 2. NT-RR: NT with 100% residue retention (RR). Four mulch types included: 1. rice straw mulch (SM), 2. green manure (GM) - Gliricidia sp. (a leguminous shrub) mulch, 3. brown manuring (BM) mulch [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) grown as an intercrop and killed with a spray of 2, 4-D, 40 days after sowing (DAS)] and 4. no mulch (NM) control. The adoption of NT-RR significantly (p = 0.05) reduced the energy use (16,727 MJ/ha) and the cost of production (INR 54,271/ha, 1 US$ = 64.46 INR) compared with those under CT-RI (27,630 MJ/ha and INR 76,903/ha, respectively). Thus, NT-RR also increased the energy use efficiency (EUE), energy productivity (EP), net returns, and reduced CF of the system compared with those under CT-RI. Use of different mulches also increased the energy use efficiency, system productivity, and net returnscompared with those under NM. The total CO2-e emission (CF) was higher under CT-RI (2307 kg CO2-e/ha) as compared to those under NT-RR (2013 kg CO2-e/ha). The savings of fossil fuel from less number of tillage operations and also low emissions associated with energy consumed in manufacture, transport, repair and use of machines contributed to the lowest GWP under NT-RR. Thus, the study supports and recommended that the NT-RR with BM is an environmentally safe and clean production technology for enhancing the energy use efficiency, reducing the CF and cost of production of direct-seeded upland rice-mustard cropping system in India and similar agro-eco-regions elsewhere in the rice based cropping system in the world.

Agronomic productivity, nitrogen fertilizer savings and soil organic carbon in conservation agriculture: efficient nitrogen and weed management in maize-wheat system

ABSTRACTConservation agriculture (CA) practice increases agronomic productivity and soil fertility, yet CA stimulate nitrogen (N) immobilization and weed interference during the early periods of implementation. This study focuses on efficient N management by soil testing and optical sensor (GreenSeekerTM) information; and weed management using brown manuring (Sesbania aculeata co-culture) and herbicide mixtures under CA-based maize (Zea mays L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol) system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Fertilizer N application guided by the optical sensor increased grain yields of maize and wheat up to 20 and 14% (average of two years), respectively, compared to whole N application at sowing. Weed management using brown manuring in maize and herbicide mixtures in wheat increased the grain yields up to 10 and 21%, respectively, over the weedy check. The optical sensor-based N management saved up to 45 and 30 kg N ha–1 of the optimized N fertilizer rate in maize and wheat, respectively, over whole N application. Fertilizer N management coupled with brown manuring resulted in 5 and 4% higher soil organic carbon accumulation. Implementing efficient N fertilizer and weed management in the early years of CA can improve agronomic yield, fertilizer savings, and soil organic carbon content.

Conservation tillage and mulching effects on the adaptive capacity of direct-seeded upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to alleviate weed and moisture stresses in the North Eastern Himalayan Region of India

ABSTRACTA field experiment was conducted to study the effects of tillage and mulch on weed growth, soil moisture storage, productivity and profitability of upland rice during 2012–2013 at Lembucherra, India. Tillage treatments included CT-RI: conventional tillage with 100% residue incorporation and NT-RR: no-till with 100% residue retention. Mulches included rice straw (SM), Gliricidia (GM), brown manuring (BM) and none (NM). CT-RI registered the highest total weed density (89–168 weeds m−2) and biomass (9.6–183 g dry weight m−2) than those for the NT-RR (75–161 weed m−2 and 8–155 g dry weight m−2). In addition, NT-RR stored (122–172 mm) more soil moisture (0–40 cm soil depth) in comparison with that for the CT-RI treatment (110–161 mm) during crop growing season. Tillage treatments did not have the significant effect on yields. NT-RR reduced the cost of cultivation by 31.5% compared with that for the CT-RI. Thus, the net returns under NT-RR were more than those for the CT-RI. The BM recorded the lowest weed biomass and density as compared to that under other mulches. Therefore, cultivation of upland rice using NT along with BM mulching enhanced productivity and profitability of rice cultivation in India.

Soil carbon dynamics and enzymatic activities under different resource conservation technologies in rice-green gram cropping system

The effects of different resource conservation practiceson SOC pools, soil enzymatic activities were studied under tropical lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)-green gram (Vigna radiata) soilsystem in a long-term experiment, which was established in 2012. Seven RCTs i.e., conventional farmer's practice, brown manuring, green manuring, wet direct drum seeding, zero tillage, green manuring plus real time nitrogen management by customized leaf colour chart and biochar application were broadly included in the experiment. Soil organic carbon (SOC) pools were significantly higher under Green manuring treatment compared to conventional control. Soil labile carbon fractions and enzymatic activities were significantly higher under RCTs over control. Soil organic carbon was significantly higher under zero tillage as compared to other resource conservation practices as well as conventional treatments and 13% more than that of conventional control. It can be concluded from the experimental data that resource conservation practices like zero tillage could offer carbon saving by increase soil carbon stock in tropical lowland rice-green gram soil.

Effect of Brown Manuring on Soil Properties, Weed Density, Grain Yield and Economics of Different Crops

Effect of Brown Manuring on Soil Properties, Weed Density, Grain Yield and Economics of Different Crops

Efficacy of crop establishment techniques and weed control measures on weed dynamics, weed control efficiency and productivity in rice (Oryza sativa)

The field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2013 and 2014 at C S Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh to assess the performance of four rice establishment techniques and four weed control measures on weed dynamics, weed control efficiency, productivity and profitability of rice. Weed dynamics were higher in direct seeded rice (DSR) as compared to transplanted rice (TPR). The highest total weed density (214-282 plants/m2) and total weed biomass (40.5-52.2 g/m2) were recorded in DSR while the lowest in TPR. The efficacy of Sesbania brown manuring was significantly higher in both DSR and TPR. Compared with the weedy plots, two hand weeding at 20 DAS/DAT and 45 DAS/DAT followed by Bispyribac sodium 25 g/ha + (Chlorimuron + metsulfuron) 4 g/ha followed by one hand weeding at 45 DAS/DAT provided significant weed control. In both seasons, weed control efficacy was better in DSR and TPR. Across the weed control measures, the mean weed control efficiency ranged from 59.8 -98.6% and 64.2-98.5% at 30 DAS and maturity stage, respectively. TPR produced the maximum rice grain yields. On an average of both years, weed control treatments produced 21 to 43% higher rice grain yield than the weedy plots.

Adaptive nitrogen and integrated weed management in conservation agriculture: impacts on agronomic productivity, greenhouse gas emissions, and herbicide residues.

Increasing nitrogen (N) immobilization and weed interference in the early phase of implementation of conservation agriculture (CA) affects crop yields. Yet, higher fertilizer and herbicide use to improve productivity influences greenhouse gase emissions and herbicide residues. These tradeoffs precipitated a need for adaptive N and integrated weed management in CA-based maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol] cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) to optimize N availability and reduce weed proliferation. Adaptive N fertilization was based on soil test value and normalized difference vegetation index measurement (NDVM) by GreenSeeker™ technology, while integrated weed management included brown manuring (Sesbania aculeata L. co-culture, killed at 25days after sowing), herbicide mixture, and weedy check (control, i.e., without weed management). Results indicated that the 'best-adaptive N rate' (i.e., 50% basal+25% broadcast at 25days after sowing+supplementary N guided by NDVM) increased maize and wheat grain yields by 20 and 14% (averaged for 2years), respectively, compared with whole recommended N applied at sowing. Weed management by brown manuring (during maize) and herbicide mixture (during wheat) resulted in 10 and 21% higher grain yields (averaged for 2years), respectively, over the weedy check. The NDVM in-season N fertilization and brown manuring affected N2O and CO2 emissions, but resulted in improved carbon storage efficiency, while herbicide residuals in soil were significantly lower in the maize season than in wheat cropping. This study concludes that adaptive N and integrated weed management enhance synergy between agronomic productivity, fertilizer and herbicide efficiency, and greenhouse gas mitigation.

Brown manuring, An effective technique for yield sustainability and weed management of cereal crops: A review

Brown manuring, An effective technique for yield sustainability and weed management of cereal crops: A review

Rice productivity under different weed management and establishment methods

Field experiment was conducted to find out alternative tillage practices with appropriate weed management opportunities to increase the yield potential of rice crop. Major associated weeds were Echinochloa colona, E. crus-galli, Leptochloa chinensis among grasses, Caesulia axillaris, Alternanthera sessilis, Ammania baccifera among broad-leaved weeds and Cyperus rotundus, C. iria, C. difformis and Fimbristylis miliaceae among sedges at 60 DAS. Adoption of conventional transplanted rice (TPR) with Sesbania inclusion as green manure along with integrated approaches of weed management using bispyribac-sodium 20 g/ha supplemented with one hand weeding at 45 DAS was found effective and profitable alternative than conventional transplanted rice and hand weeding to attain higher productivity of rice crop. However, the benefit cost ratio was higher when the crop was grown under zero-till situation (ZTR) along with retention of crop (wheat) residues followed by Sesbania as brown manure due to less cost involved under zero-till situation.

Effect of Brown Manuring and Herbicides on Growth, Nitrogen Uptake and Weed Dynamics in Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Effect of Brown Manuring and Herbicides on Growth, Nitrogen Uptake and Weed Dynamics in Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Influence of Sesbania Brown Manuring and Rice Residue Mulch on Soil Health, Weeds and System Productivity of Conservation Rice–Wheat Systems

AbstractThe sustainability of rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is threatened by increasing labor, water, and energy crises in the region. Conservation RWCSs offers an ecofriendly alternate option. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of sesbania brown manuring in direct‐seeded aerobic rice (DSAR) and of rice residue mulch in no‐tilled wheat (NTW) on soil health, weed dynamics and system productivity. The experiment was composed of five RWCS systems: (i) DSAR‐NTW; (ii) DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW; (iii) DSAR‐NTW + rice residue mulch; (iv) puddled transplanted flooded rice (PudTR)‐NTW; and (v) PudTR‐plow‐tilled wheat. Sesbania brown manuring in direct‐seeded rice decreased the weed density and dry biomass 41–56% and 62–75%, respectively, than the sole direct‐seeded rice crop. At rice harvest, better soil health, in terms of total nitrogen (N), soil organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon, and soil microbial biomass nitrogen, was noted with DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW. Rice residue mulch retention in NTW decreased weed density and dry weight by 60 and 69%, respectively, than those under NTW with no mulch. At wheat harvest, highest total N, soil organic carbon, and soil microbial biomass carbon were recorded with DSAR‐NTW + rice residue mulch, followed by DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW. Overall, NTW grown after DSAR + sesbania brown manuring produced more grain yield than PudTR‐NTW and PudTR‐plow‐tilled wheat systems. In conclusion, sesbania brown manuring in DSAR and residue mulch retention in NTW may be opted to improve soil properties, suppress weeds, and to harvest better grain yield and achieve higher system productivity in conservation RWCSs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Crop establishment techniques affect productivity, sustainability, and soil health under mustard-based cropping systems of Indian semi-arid regions

Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] is the predominant oilseed crop in semi-arid India, conventionally grown by repeated plowings during the rainy seasons to conserve soil moisture in fallow fields. To evaluate the effect of establishment methods on productivity, soil health and economics of mustard under various cropping systems, a field experiment was conducted for four years from 2009–2010 to 2012–2013 at the Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur, India. Conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), zero tillage (ZT), and permanent furrow irrigated raised beds (FIRB) treatments were evaluated for five mustard-based cropping systems, viz., fallow–mustard, green manure–mustard, brown manure–mustard, cluster bean–mustard, and pearl millet–mustard, in split-plot design with three replications. The variable tillage practices significantly affected seed, stover, and biological yields, production efficiency, and the economics of mustard along with the bulk density and soil organic carbon dynamics. After four years of the experimentation, the highest mustard seed yield was obtained under FIRB (2765kgha−1) which was 23.6% higher over CT. The seed yield obtained under ZT (2533kgha−1) was 17.5% higher over CT. The seed yield recorded under RT was found similar with ZT, but significantly higher over CT due to higher dry matter accumulation, higher translocation efficiency, and greater sink/source potential at the seed filling stage. Among the cropping systems, highest yield was obtained under the green manure-mustard system followed by the cluster bean–mustard system. The seed yield enhancement with the green manure–mustard cropping system was 13.9% over the fallow-mustard system. The highest assimilate supply (0.33gsiliqua−1) was recorded under ZT. Sustainability parameters, including harvest index (0.29), sustainability yield index (0.85), and production efficiency (16.1kgha−1day−1) were also found highest under ZT after four years of the experiment. Soil organic carbon increased to 0.39% and 0.36% in ZT and FIRB, respectively, from 0.26% in CT. A higher mass of soil organic carbon and carbon sequestration potential rate was recorded under ZT. The bulk density under ZT and FIRB decreased over CT. The soil organic carbon, the mass of soil organic carbon, and the carbon sequestration potential rate were highest in the green manure–mustard system. These parameters were similar between the pearl millet–mustard system and fallow-mustard system, indicating that an additional pearl millet crop can be successfully grown without exhausting the soil organic carbon. The net returns, profitability, and the benefit-cost ratio were highest under FIRB, followed by ZT.

Weed management in direct-seeded rice

Rice (Oryza sativa), the staple food of more than half of the population of the world, is an important target to provide food security and livelihoods for millions. Direct seeding of rice (DSR) refers to the process of establishing the crop from seeds sown in the field rather than by transplanting seedling from the nursery. Before the advent of Green revolution and adoption of irrigation, rainfed rice was often broadcasted into moist soil and yields were low, variable and highly prone to weed competition. Weed spectrum and degree of infestation in rice field are often determined by rice ecosystems and establishment methods. Research evidences at different places has shown around 20–100% losses due to weeds such as Echinochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., Cyanotis spp., Commelina sp., Digitaria spp. and Alternanthera sp in DSR. Integrated weed management approach based on the critical period of crop weed competition, involving different direct and indirect control measures, has been developed and widely adopted by farmers to overcome weed problem in DSR in a sustainable way. Stale seed bed combined with herbicide (paraquat/glyphosate) and zero till results in better control. About 53% lower density was recorded due to stale seed bed. Brown manuring of Sesbania reduces weed population by 50%. Mulches, crop rotation and rice cultivars like ‘Narender 359’ and ‘Sarjoo 52’ were found better for Indo-Gangetic plains. Application of penoxsulam 25 g/ha as broad-spectrum, azimsulfuron + metsulfuron-methyl for Cyperus spp., pendimethalin at 1.25 kg/ha for Echinochloa spp. were found suitable for chemical weed management.Weed-competitive and allelopathic rice varieties, seed priming for increased weed competitiveness, higher seeding density should be considered as a management strategy.