Weeds are major problems to rice farmers as they make land preparation difficult, take water and nutrients and reduce rice yields therefore proper. The 2 major weed are perenial and annual weeds.
Under low land areas planting should be spaced at 15cm and for direct sowing weed after 3 weeks and after 2 – 3 weeks while for transplanted rice weed only at onset of tillering and apply nitrogen to boost yield.
Control measures
Plough land, level and flood rice filed to burry weeds to depth were weeds can not germinate it also uproots weeds which dry after.
Flood levelled field for 2 weeks and effectively manage water to kill the existing weeds.
Till land and flood the field the second time to kill all weeds since they can multiply by seeds and roots.
Keep irrigation canals, field margins clean and flush irrigation canals first as this may introduce weed seeds through irrigation water and wind.
Use healthy, well dried and properly stored seeds free from weed seeds for proper seed germination and stronger plants.
Select good variety, use transplants and proper spacing for plants to easily outcompete weeds.
Maintain a layer of water in field to hinder weed seed germination.
Drain filed and apply fertilizers or herbicides for faster rice growth and outcompete weeds.
Sow in lines to easily distinguish weeds from rice and control effectively.
Use herbicide after asking herbicide dealer or extension agent.
