Susil Mendis AP, Wathugala DL* and Kumarasinghe HKMS
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
The present study was carried out to
evaluate the appropriateness of different weed management
methods practiced in rice cultivation in the Matara
district. This study comprised of a survey conducted in rice
fields cultivated with variety At 362 in Akuressa and
Athuraliya D.S. divisions during 2016/ 2017 Maha season. The
survey was carried out using a pretested questionnaire with
the participation of randomly selected 100 farmers (69 from
Akuressa and 31 from Athuraliya D.S. divisions). Primary
data were gathered through several focused group discussions
with Agricultural Instructors and using a structured
questionnaire. Based on the data gathered a field experiment
was conducted in the farmers fields to study the impact of
various weed management methods practiced by farmers on weed
density and growth and yield parameters of rice. Based on
the data obtained on different weed control techniques
farmer fields were divided into 4 categories such as single
herbicide, herbicide mixtures, non-chemical (manual and/or
mechanical) and both chemical with mechanical weeding.
Growth and yield parameters of paddy and weed growth
parameters were obtained at different stages of the rice
growth. ‘t’ test and Kruskal-Wallis were used to analyze the
results. Descriptive and inferential statistics were
employed to draw conclusions. The highest percentage of
farmers used mixed herbicides (44%), while single
herbicides, non-chemical and both chemicals with mechanical
weeding were used by 20%, 16% and 20%, respectively. The
weed count was negligible at 10 days after the application
of weed management techniques indicating that the use of
herbicide mixtures was ineffective. Method of weed control
did not significantly alter the growth and yield parameters
of rice except the use of herbicide cum mechanical weeder
which showed positive effects on growth and yield of rice.
The weed seed bank analysis showed higher sedges and
broad-leaved weed populations in chemical applied fields
while higher grass weed populations in non-chemical applied
fields. Launching farmer awareness programmes at the field
level are found to be more important for a better
understanding of the rational use of herbicides in rice
cultivation.
Keywords:
Growth and yield of rice, Herbicides, Weeds, Weed control
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* - Corresponding Author
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