Optimizing herbicide use: Can drone technology revolutionize weed management in rice?

• Published in: Plant Science Today
• Main Authors: Bibhudutta, M, Ashirbachan, M, Triptesh, M, Chandrasekhar, S, Sahadeva, S, Rajesh, K S, Vishal, G K, Dwity, R S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2025
• ISSN: 2348-1900; 2348-1900
• DOI: 10.14719/pst.4443

This study investigates the standardization of herbicide dosage for drone applications in rice cultivation, specifically for the herbicide mixture triafamone 20% + ethoxysulfuran 10%. It compares the efficacy of drone-applied herbicide at 70% of the recommended dose (RDH) with traditional knapsack sprayer applications, where 67.5 g a.i. ha-1 is considered the 100% dose. The research analyzes several factors, including growth parameters, rice yield, weed density, biomass, and weed control efficiency (WCE) at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). The study utilized a randomized block design with 10 treatments and three replicates, which included weed-free and weedy checks, along with varying herbicide doses. Results show that the weed-free check exhibited the lowest weed density and biomass with the highest WCE. Among drone-applied treatments, 70% RDH proved most effective, maintaining low weed densities and biomass similar to the weed-free check, and achieving WCE values of 94-95%. Higher doses (100%, 90%, 80% RDH) caused phytotoxicity, hindering initial crop growth and resulting in higher weed competition and lower WCE (71-73%). The study highlights that the 70% RDH spray via drone not only reduces herbicide costs by 30%, but also improves crop-weed dynamics, rice yield, net income, benefit-cost ratio, and energy efficiency, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in rice cultivation.