Weed management indices as affected by carfentrazone-ethyl in direct seeded rice cultivation

A field experiment was conducted to study the bio-efficacy of carfentrazone ethyl for managing weeds in direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L) through different weed management indices during kharif 2022 at the Experimental Farm of Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur (H.P). The study assessed various doses of carfentrazone-ethyl (16, 25, 31.25, 34, and 50 g/ha) along with a market sample, pyrithiobac sodium 625 ml/ha (standard check), hand weeding (twice), and an untreated control. Results revealed that all weed control treatments significantly improved weed control efficiency (WCI), herbicide efficiency index (HEI), weed management index (WMI), and plant height compared to the weedy check. Carfentrazone-ethyl at 25 g/ha and 34 g/ha recorded higher WCI (73.98% and 71.23%, respectively) and HEI, resulting in better crop growth and yield attributes. The earliest attainment of 50% heading and physiological maturity was also observed under carfentrazone-ethyl 25 g/ha. Maximum grain yield (3.85 t/ha) was achieved in hand weeding, followed closely by carfentrazone-ethyl 25 g/ha (3.81 t/ha). The study concludes that carfentrazone-ethyl 25 g/ha is an effective and economical option for weed management in DSR systems.