Impact of crop establishment on major weeds and their vertical distribution in rice

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Abstract
Weed management strategies across diverse cropping systems must address weed seed distribution and emergence behaviour. Various agronomic practices, including tillage, have been documented to influence these factors, thus assuming a critical role in the formulation of weed management strategies. In a study during the rainy (Kharif) seasons of 2021 and 2022, the impact of different crop establishment methods: puddled transplanted rice (PuTTR); direct-seeded rice on permanent beds (PBDSR)-with residue (+R); zero till direct-seeded rice (ZTDSR)+R/-R; ZTDSR with inversion (+I)+R/-R; unpuddled transplanted rice (UPTR); (+R); ( R) on the vertical spatial distribution of weed seeds within the soil and the emergence dynamics of distinct weed species was systematically assessed. The results unveiled that vertical distribution in PBDSR+R and ZTR +R/-R had 84% of beads (simulated weed seeds) in 0-3 cm and 16% in 3-6 cm. None of the beads were found in the lower depth of lesser disturbed soil. In contrast, conventional tillage (PuTTR and UPTR) had higher soil disturbance resulting in only 12.75% and 22.5% beads on top layer (0-3 cm) and 19.4 % and 34.5 % in 3-6 cm, 36.16 % and 24.8 % in 6-9 cm, 28 % and 14.3% in 9-12 cm, respectively. PuTTR and UPTR systems reduce the weed incidence by bury the high proportion of weed seeds below 3 cm. Furthermore, the study delineated that the maximal seedling emergence of Leptochloa cheninsis, Ammannia baccifera, Echinochloa crus-galli and Caesulia axillaris in ZT without residue followed by ZT+R. R egardless of weed species, the average emergence was 14%. The minimal germination of weeds was in PuTTR and UPTR. This investigation furnishes invaluable insights that may inform judicious decision-making in the realm of weed management, with an emphasis on the judicious integration of tillage methodologies and complementary weed control measures.

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