Training cum demonstration programme on “Improved weed management practices in organic seed production”
Weeds have many attributes undesirable to crop producers, not the least being the ability to reduce crop yields through competition for resources such as sunlight, water, nutrients, and space. Weeds also may harbor insects and provide a host for certain plant pathogens. In approaching weed management within an organic system, it is important to remember the central goal: to reduce weed competition and reproduction to a level that the farmer can accept. Organic farmers of Meghalaya do not use synthetic herbicides, therefore rely more heavily than conventional growers on tillage and mechanical weed control, especially hand weeding in annual crops. Although, tillage and cultivation takes out existing weeds from the field, it also stimulates additional weed seeds to germinate. Furthermore, farmers seek to maintain a healthy, living soil rich in organic matter with good physical structure (tilth). However, frequent tillage and cultivation can burn up soil organic matter, degrade soil structure, disrupt beneficial soil organisms like earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi, and leave the soil more prone to erosion. Therefore, in reference to the problems faced by the organic farmers on weed management, one training programme was conducted on 10th August, 2018 at adopted village Mynsain, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya under Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) with an objective to help farmers accomplish adequate weed control through practices that helps in building soil quality and reduce the weed intensity. Around 30 farmers attended the training cum demonstration programme.
Dr. Jayanta Layek, Scientist (Agronomy), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam & PI, NPOF project explained that the foundation of an organic weed control strategy should be taken into consideration through basic tactics. Firstly, cultivar or variety selection: Farmers should select crop varieties that compete well with weeds. Secondly, clean seed: Farmers should select seeds that are thoroughly cleaned as new weed species or weed seed bank increases by planting crop seed that are not cleaned.Thirdly, sowing date: To provide a competitive advantage, farmers should timely sow their crop to facilitate rapid germination and early crop establishment. Fourthly, row spacing:proper spacing of crops/line sowing will reduce greater crop competition with weeds in between row and easy weed removal. Lastly, hand weeding: Farmers should visit their field regularly to eliminate patches of problematic weeds before they go to seed. Dr. Utpal Dey explained that when FYM or other organic sources are applied, 2 hand weddings (one at 30-35 days and another at 55-60 days after transplanting) or two mechanical weeding with cono-weeder will result in efficient management of weeds in rice. If the weeding was not not done in proper time then the growth as well as production of crops will reduce drastically because of nutrient removal and competition for space, light, water etc. He also stated that sowing time/transplanting time is an important factor to control weed and get higher yield. Cultivation of cover crops, mulching, intercropping and crop rotations can also help in reduction of weed problem during crop cultivation. Ms. Daphibanri Lyngdoh also elaborated that growing of green manure followed by subsequent incorporation in-situ can reduce the weed problem in upland rice.While puddling and efficient water management can help in reducing the weed menace under transplanted condition.
