Direct-seeded rice, Florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl, Herbicide, Weed management, Wet-seeded rice
Weed infestation is the major yield limiting factor in direct wet-seeded rice (WSR). Herbicides use is gaining acceptance among the farmers as it is easy, economical, time saving, and efficient to manage weeds. The herbicide mixtures with different modes of action are preferable to use in rotation. An experiment was conducted to evaluate and identify a suitable pre-mix herbicide mixture and its dosage rate to get optimum weed management and rice yield in WSR during wet seasons of 2017 and 2018 at research farm of ICAR–National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India using randomized complete block design with three replications. Nine treatments were tested including: viz. post-emergence application (PoE) of florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl at 120, 150, 180 and 360 g/ha; florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 25 and 30 g/ha PoE; bispyribac-sodium 30 g/ha PoE; weed free and weedy check. Among the herbicide treatments, florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl 150 g/ha PoE was most effective to control weeds with the lowest weed density, biomass, and weed index, lower weed persistence index and highest weed control index, weed control efficiency, crop resistance index, treatment efficiency index and weed management index at 60 days after sowing in WSR with higher rice grain yield, and was at par with the weed free. In weedy check, 40% rice yield loss was recorded. Thus, florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl 150 g/ha PoE may be recommended for effective weed control in direct wet-seeded rice.