Comparative efficacy of pretilachlor and hand weeding in managing weeds and improving the productivity and net income of wet-seeded rice in Bangladesh

Field experiments were conducted for two years during 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 in farmers’ fields at Sorajgonj Village in Sadar Upazila of Chuadanga District in Bangladesh. The objective was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of hand weeding and pretilachlor applied at different days after seeding (DAS) rice in effectively and economically controlling weeds and improving the productivity of rice wet-seeded using a drum seeder, during the aman and boro seasons. Three application timings of pretilachlor and five weed control treatments, including (a) pretilachlor 0.500kgha⁻¹, (b) pretilachlor 0.375kgha⁻¹, (c) pretilachlor 0.250kgha⁻¹, (d) hand weeding thrice, and (e) unweeded (check), were tested. The reduction in grassy weeds due to different rates of pretilachlor and hand weeding thrice was inconsistent due to less efficacy…