Integrated Weed Management In

Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Introduction- An integrated weed management may be defined as the combination of two or

more weed-control methods at low input levels to reduce weed competition in a given cropping
system below the economic threshold level. Integrated Weed Management approach aims at
minimizing the residual problem in plant, soil, air, and water. IWM approach aims at minimizing the
residual problem in plant, soil, air, and water. IWM involves the utilization of a combination of
mechanical, chemical, and cultural practices of weed management in a planned sequence, so
designed as not to affect the ecosystem.

Need for Integrated Weed Management-

1. One method of weed control may be effective and economical in a situation and may not be
in other situation.
2. No single herbicide is effective in controlling wide range of weed flora.
3. Continuous use of only one practice may result in some undesirable effects. Eg. Rice-Wheat
cropping system- Phalaris minor.

Advantages Of IWM-

 It shifts the crop-weed competition in favour of crop.

 Prevents weed shift towards perennial nature.
 No danger of herbicide residue in soil or plant.
 No environmental pollution
 Prevents resistance in weeds to herbicides.
 Suitable for high cropping intensity.
 Gives higher net return.

The rice-wheat cropping system is one of the most important agricultural production
systems in the world. The productivity of rice-wheat system is decreasing due to
emergence of multi-nutrient deficiencies and most importantly weed flora. Weeds are
probably the most ever-present class of crop pests and on the odd occasion cause crop
failure over vast areas. They reduce the crop yield and reduce the quality of produce. In
rice-wheat system, yield reduction due to weeds has been reported to the extent of 45%
.

Status of Rice-wheat Cropping System – In rice-wheat cropping system the

menace of Phalaris minor in wheat has threatened the productivity of crop. The yield
losses from Phalaris minor are estimated to be 25-50% and can upto 80% (Malik et
al.,1995). Rice crop management system supports the survival of Phalaris minor seed in
rice-wheat system. The major weeds in rice are Echinochloa sp, Digitaria sanguinalis,
Celosia argentia, Cyperus rotundus (Singh and Singh, 1996).

Management Practices For IWM:

 Rotation- Rotation can cause a shift in weed species competition.

Knowledge of these shifts can help in changing the composition of the weed
seed bank from undesirable to easy to manage sp. Singh et al.,(2008) reported
that when rice-wheat cropping system is changed, there is reduction in weed
density and weed dry matter production.

 Diversification of the area under rice-wheat cropping

system-
Diversification of the area under rice-wheat cropping system will not only brings
changes in weed spectrum but also create soil conditions unfavourable for
Phalaris minor. Replacing wheat with toria, berseem, potato etc…for 2-3years in
rice-wheat system can reduce the population of Phalaris minor significantly.

 Use of new alternate herbicides- The rotation of herbicides with new

modes of action may be important in avoiding the evolution of resistance.
Three new herbicides, namely clodinafop, sulfosulfuron, and fenoxaprop-p-
ethyl have shown good results in controlling isoproturon resistant biotypes of
P.minor.
 Tillage levels- Tillage affects weed management, weed seed production and
pattern of soil disturbances. Zero tillage technique integrated with timely
planting of wheat (Oct sowing) has shown promising results in reducing P.
minor.
 Crop genotypes with high smothering potential- Long duration
varieties like PBW343, WH542, PBW34 due to their fast growing habits suppress
the weed growth.
 Increased crop density- The role of increasing crop densities in reducing
competitiveness and seed output by weeds has been reported in several
studies.
 Sowing time- The sowing time of wheat crop should be adjusted so that it is
maximum favourable for crop growth and development and least favourable
for weed germination and growth.eg, to control phalaris minor in wheat.
 Planting pattern- Bidirectional sowing in wheat gives less weeds as
compared to unidirectional sowing although seed rate is same.
Integrated Weed Management in Rice:

Weed competition is more in direct seeded rice as compared to transplanted

rice. Reduction in yield is 34% in transplanted rice. 45% in DSR and 67% in
upland rice.

Nursery-

 Hand pulling is common method of weed control in nursery.

 Application of Nominee gold @0.002kg a.i/ha(200ml/ha) at 14-15days
to control grasses, broadleaf weeds and sedges.

Upland Rice-
 Pre-emergence herbicide: Cyhalofopbutyl (0.06-0.07kg/ha)
Metsulfuron

(0.03-0.06kg/ha) for broad leaf weeds. Pretilachlor (0.75kg/ha) to

control broad leaf and sedges.

 Post emergence herbicide: Application of Propanil (3-4kg ai/ha)at 2-3

leaf stage for controlling grasses and broad leaf weeds. Application

2,4-D@0.5-1.0kg/ha to control broad leaf weeds.

 Hand weeding or cultivation at 30-35DAS.

 Beushening and blind tillage.

Lowland or Transplanted Rice-

 Good crop husbandry+ Residue incorporation + Clean seedling + Pre-

emergence herbicide+ Hand weeding at30-35DAT.
 Good crop husbandry+ Residue incorporation + Clean seedling+High
density planting or skip row planting +Pre-emergence herbicide+ Fish
cultivation.
 Good crop husbandry + Hand weeding at 15-20DAT + Post-emergence
Herbicide at 30-35DAT.
 Pre- emergence herbicide- Butachlor(1.5-2.0kg/ha), Anilophos(0.25-
1.0kg/ha).
 Post emergence herbicide- Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl(0.075-0.12kg/ha).
 Integrated weed management in Wheat-

Weed reduce grain yield upto 10-40% and competition is during 30-40
DAS of crop.
Furrow Irrigated Ridge Bed System, Skip row planting, criss- cross method
of sowing help in reducing weed growth.
 Integrated weed management combine stale seed bedtime of sowing,
nitrogen fertilizer, scheduling the time of first irrigation, skip row
planting,manual weeding and herbicides.
 Rotate or mix herbicides with different mode of action. If possible, rotate
crops where herbicide rotations are feasible.
 Scout fields regularly for resistant weed populations and control the weed
escapes.
 Plant weed free wheat seed.
 Clean tillage and harvest equipment to prevent the spread of resistant
species.

Conclusion - To increase the sustainability of cropping systems, there

is a need to manage weeds by using integrated weed management
strategies. These may include stale seed bed technique, adjusting crop
sowing time, high seeding rates, use of crop residue as mulch, judicious
use of herbicides, clean crop seeds and machinery etc.. Efforts are needed
to integrate multiple tactics and to evaluate long term effects of non-
chemical weed management practices on rice-wheat cropping system.