Yield and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by crop establishment methods and weed management practices

In Kashmir valley the shortage of labour and water are pressing farmers to explore the alternatives of conventional transplanting. A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2017-2018 at SKUAST-K, Wadura, Sopore Jammu and Kashmir, to evaluate the performance three crop establishment methods (M1-Transplanting (TPR), M2-Direct Seeding (DSR), M3-System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and seven weed management practices in sub plots (w1-Butachlor, w2-Penoxsulam (22.5 g a.i. ha-1), w3-Pyrazosulfuran ethyl + pretilachlor (15 and 600 g a.i. ha-1), w4- Bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor (60 and 600 g a.i. ha-1), w5-Twice conoweeding/hand weeding, W6-Weed free and w7-Weedy check) on rice yield and economics. The treatments were replicated thrice in a split plot design. The data revealed that crop establishment methods and weed management practices significantly influenced the grain and straw yield and economics of rice. SRI method of crop establishment had resulted in significantly higher rice grain and straw yield over direct seeding and transplanted rice. Among the weed management practices, application of penoxsulam (22.5 g a.i. ha-1) produced significantly higher grain and straw yield compared to other practices. Average grain yield increase with SRI was 16.66 and 18.19 % and 7.5 and 9.43 % over direct seeding and transplanting during 2017 and 2018, respectively. Highest B: C ratio of 1.60 was recorded under SRI with the application of penoxsulam (22.5 g a.i. ha-1).