Pulwama, June 26: Experts from the Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Kashmir, have advised paddy farmers to adopt an integrated approach to weed control, combining traditional and modern techniques to enhance crop productivity.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Dr. Tahir Ahmad Tahir, Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) Beerwah, said that it is important to blend biological, mechanical, and chemical methods for effective weed management in paddy fields.
“While the application of weedicides is essential, relying solely on them is not advisable,” he said, adding that weedicides are most effective against pre-emergent weeds, provided the water in the field remains undisturbed for three to four days.
Dr. Tahir said that certain weed species, particularly those growing from corms, are resistant to chemical control and tend to re-emerge, making manual intervention necessary.
“Hand weeding is a traditional practice that continues to hold great value for farmers,” he said, adding that it not only controls weeds within the fields but also manages growth along the field boundaries.
He explained that the physical act of uprooting weeds by hand improves the field environment by reducing soil acidity and minimizing competition for nutrients, oxygen, and fertilizers, thereby supporting healthy paddy growth.
“Scientific studies have shown that hand weeding can boost yields by 20 to 30 percent,” Dr. Tahir added.
He recommended that the ideal time for hand weeding is between 20 and 25 days after transplantation.
Dr. Tahir also advised farmers to apply a split dose of urea—3.5 kg per kanal in plain areas and 2.5 kg per kanal in higher altitudes—during this stage for optimal results.
