Effect of rice bran application for eco- friendly weed control, growth and yield of lowland rice in Bangladesh

Abstract Experiments were conducted during dry season of 2006 and 2007 at BRRI farm Gazipur and Bhanga,Faridpur to determine the effectiveness of rice bran against weed suppression, rice growth and its impact on rice yield. Treatments comprise of rice bran applied at the rate of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 tha-1 and compared with unweeded, weed free and two hand weeding in RCBD design with three replications. Different rates of rice bran significantly controlled the number and drymatter weight of weeds. Weed control efficiency was increased by increased application rate of rice bran in both years. Application of 5.0 tha-1 rice bran reduced weed number and weight about 65% in 2006 and about 61% in 2007 compared with unweeded condition. Leaf area index varied due to different rates of rice bran application and at panicle initiation stage. Rice bran applied at the rate of 5.0 t ha-1 observed optimum leaf area index of 3.35 and 3.37 during 2006 and 2007 years. Panicle number, grains panicle-1 and grain yield were significantly higher in weed free and two hand weeded plots followed by rice bran application at the rate of 0 and 4.0 tha-1 in both years. Grain yield of rice increased by the application of 4.0 and 5.0 tha-1 rice bran over unweeded plot and it appear 27% and 37% increased in 2006 and also shown 26% and 35% yield increased in 2007. This research finding indicates rice bran suppressed weed growth and increased grain yield of rice which have the potential of being used as pre emergence organic herbicides.