Tillage coupled with crop establishment methods and zinc application influences weed dynamics and yield of direct-seeded rice

This field experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Farm of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during the Kharif season of 2016 and 2017. The experiment was established in a split-plot design with three replicates and comprised of total 15 treatment combinations involving three crop establishment methods as: (i) conventional till-direct seeded rice, (ii) the conventional till-wet direct-seeded rice, and (iii) and zero till-direct seeded rice in the main plot and five Zn application treatments (i) control (No Zn application), (ii) 3 kg Zn ha-1 (basal application), (iii) 3 kg Zn ha-1 (foliar application), (iv) 6 kg Zn ha-1 (basal application), and (v) 6 kg Zn ha-1 (foliar application) in the subplot. The crop establishment methods significantly (p=0.05) influenced weeds density and dry weight at 20, 40, 60, and 80 days after sowing. Among crop establishment methods, the conventional till-wet direct-seeded observed the lowest density and dry weight of grassy, sedge, and broad-leaf weeds across all the crop growth stages. Concerning crop yield, the conventional till-wet direct-seeded rice and 6 kg Zn ha-1 (basal application) recorded higher grain, straw, biological yield, and harvest index. Thus, it is suggested that conventional till-wet direct-seeded rice and 6 kg Zn ha-1 (basal application) can be practiced for recording the higher yields and the effective management of weeds in DSR.