Efficient weeds control with penoxsulam application ensures higher productivity and economic returns of direct seeded rice

Severe water scarcity and labor shortage has made the direct seeded rice (DSR) an attractive option for sustainability of rice production systems. However, the severe weed infestation is the major constraint for success of DSR in Pakistan. In this study, two herbicides (penoxsulam [sprayed as early post-emergence, 7 days after sowing at 15 g a.i. ha^-1] and pendimethalin [sprayed as pre-emergence at 825 g a.i. ha^-1, respectively) were evaluated for effective weed control in DSR planted on ridges or flat soil surface. Herbicides were sprayed with a knapsack hand sprayer using 330 L ha^-1 volume of spray and a weedy check was maintained as control for comparison. The herbicides were effective in reducing the weed density and dry weight over control in both sowing methods of DSR. Penoxsulam was more effective than pendimethalin for weed control causing substantial increase in grain yield, higher net income, benefit-cost ratio and marginal rate of return. However, there was no difference between sowing methods for weed prevalence, water productivity, grain yield and related traits. In conclusion, early post-emergence application of penoxsulam (15 g a.i. ha^-1) in DSR is more beneficial with higher productivity and economic returns owing to effective weeds control.