Agro-economic study of weed control in direct seeded aus rice in the farmers' field

Abstract

Abstract : The experiment was conducted to determine the influence of Agro- ecological Zone (AEZ), variety and weeding on weed growth, yield loss and benefit cost- ratio (BCR) in direct seeded Aus rice. The experiment was conducted in two consecutive years 1994 and 1995. Weed population and weight did not differ in two AEZ i.e. Old Brahmaputra Flood Plain (OBFP) and Old Meghna Estuarine Flood Plain (OMEFP). Weed growth also did not differ between rice varieties in agro-ecological zones. Medium statured modern variety, having high tillering has similar performance to local variety against weeds. Farmers' weeding practice was inferior to weed free condition and gave 22 to 26 percent lower yield. Farmers' weeding in Aus rice gave lower BCR than weed free condition in OBFP and OMEFP zone. Modern variety gave higher BCR than local variety though it involves higher weeding cost. Cultivation of modern variety was found more profitable than local variety.