Effect of Mulching with Rice Straw under Various Flooding times on Growth of Rice and Weed Control under No-till Conditions

Abstract

Primary study on the effect of mulching with rice straw under various flooding times; 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days on growth of Supun-buri 90 rice cultivar and the control of weeds was carried out in the green house at Weed Science Group, Botany and Weed Science Group, Botany and Weed Science Division during January to June 1996. The results showed that plant height, tillering, number of plants per pot and weed dry weight were significantly different. Mulching with continuous flooding for 20 days, gave the highest plant height, tillering, panicle production and grain yield compared to 0 day, showing the lowest growth development and yield production. Plant height and numbet of tillers at 30 days after seeding were not significantly different under continuous flooding for 5, 10 and 15 day, but at 60 days there were difference. However, panicles and grain yield under mulching were not statistically significant compared to conventional method. Mulching with rice straw under flooded conditions provided good weed control whereas conventional method gave poorly weed control.