PERFORMANCE OF MEFENACET+BENSULFURON METHYL 53% WP AGAINST WEED SUPPRESSION IN TRANSPLANTED PADDY

The study was conducted during dry season of 2007 in two different agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh to evaluate the usefulness of Mefenacet + bensulfuron methyl 53% WP, for weed management in transplanted paddy. Mefenacet + bensulfuron methyl 53%WP @ 524,594 and 657g ai ha -1 was evaluated for its bio-efficacy against broad spectrum of weeds and safety to crop. Standard for comparison was butachlor 5G @ 1250g ai ha -1 . Weed flora in the experimental plots in the two different agroecological zones comprised of the grasses Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa crus-galli, Leptochloa chinensis, the sedges, Cyperus difformis, Scirpus juncoides and the broadleafs Enhydra fluctuans, Monochoria vaginalis, Lindernia anagallis, Marsilea minuta and sphenoclea zeylanica. Pre-emergence application of Mefenacet + bensulfuron methyl 53%WP @ 594g ai ha -1 led to higher weed control efficiency and lowest number and dry weight of weeds which ultimately resulted in higher yield attributes and grain yield of rice that were comparable to the standards at both location.