O-027
 :HHG\ULFH$WKUHDWWRULFHFXOWLYDWLRQLQ6UL/DQND

A.S.K Abeysekara, H.M.S.D. Kulatunga, D.D Witharana and W.M.U.B Wickrama

Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda, Sri Lanka

Weedy rice (WR) is made up of the undesirable biotypes of rice which are morphologically similar to
cultivated rice. It has been a significant phenomenon ever since broadcast sowing became popular a few
decades back. Currently it is a major issue in rice cultivation. WR, reported Sri Lanka 1990s, Efforts were
made over the last decade to understand morphological and physiological properties to develop control
methods and disseminate such to the farmers for immediate action to prevent further spread. Some of the
distinct features are; diverse grain color; shape, presence of awn; leaf color and angle and panicle characters.
WR collected from different locations showed some features specific to the location. More than 3,000 WR
types collected so far, agro-morphological features of 1,800 WR types were evaluated. WR has well
developed roots system as compared to cultivated types indicating in support of their high competitive nature.
The seed of WR has a high dormancy period and a lengthy viability under submerged conditions in rice soils
as compared to cultivars. This feature facilitates WR to develop a seed bank in paddy soil. WR has various
biological properties, for instance more than 30%WR types tested found to possess resistance to brown plant
hopper. The package developed for control found satisfactory in controlling. It included; use of
uncontaminated seed paddy, burning of straw soon after harvesting to encourage dormant weedy rice to
germinate, proper land preparation, use of pre-plant herbicides, use of row seeding, water seeding or
parachute method or transplanting instead of direct seeding, rouging of WR plants, application of glufosinate
ammonium for wiping of WR panicles at heading and use of crop rotation. Currently >95% farmers were
aware of WR threat and negative effects on the yield but still they reluctant to remove it from their field.

104