Agrochemicals

13 pages, 1296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Assessment of Herbicide Use in Rice Under Different Establishment Methods in Northwest India

by Navjot Singh Brar, Parminder Singh Sandhu, Anil Kumar, Prabjeet Singh and Simerjeet Kaur

Agrochemicals 2025, 4(2), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4020007 - 20 May 2025

Viewed by 197

Large weed infestation is a major problem in dry direct-seeded rice (DSR). Chemical weed control serves as a crucial component for integrated weed management in DSR. Over the last decade, herbicide use has increased from 42 to 55%, and the worldwide contamination of water resources and food by herbicides is a major health issue. In the present study, the use of herbicides in three different establishment methods of rice was examined with the objective to present and discuss the herbicide use pattern and cost of weed control. For this, a field-wide survey was conducted over an area of 165.4 ha in eight villages of the Tarn Taran District of Punjab, India. For two DSR methods, during the initial stage of crop growth, the weed infestation was reported to be less in moist fields sown with direct seeding (soil moisture in the field capacity stage) after pre-sowing irrigation (DSR-PSI). The herbicide use and cost of weed control under DSR-PSI conditions were similar to that of puddled transplanted rice, but were significantly lower than that of direct seeding in dry fields (rice seeds are sown in dry fields, and irrigation is applied immediately after sowing), i.e., DSR-IAS. Therefore, the DSR-PSI method of rice establishment can ensure minimum dependence on herbicides, as well as other benefits of direct seeding. Thus, there is a need to promote the DSR-PSI method over the DSR-IAS method among farmers in order to reduce herbicide use in DSR and ensure environmental safety. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Guinea Pig Manure and Mineral Fertilizers Enhance the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Hard Yellow Maize on the Peruvian Coast

by Emilee Calero-Rios, Miryam Borbor-Ponce, Sphyros Lastra and Richard Solórzano

Agrochemicals 2025, 4(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4020006 - 26 Apr 2025

Viewed by 397

Abstract

Sustainable fertilization using local resources such as manure is crucial for soil health. This study evaluated the potential of guinea pig manure to replace mineral fertilizers in hard yellow maize (hybrid INIA 619) under Peruvian coastal conditions. A split-plot design tested four doses of guinea pig manure (0, 2, 5, 10 t⋅ha⁻¹) and four levels of mineral fertilization (0%, 50%, 75%, 100%). The study assessed plant height, ear characteristics, yield, and nutritional quality parameters. The results indicated that 100% mineral fertilization led to the highest plant height (229.67 cm) and grain weight (141.8 g). Yields of 9.19 and 9.08 t⋅ha⁻¹ were achieved with 5 and 10 t⋅ha⁻¹ of manure, while 50% mineral fertilization gave 8.8 t⋅ha⁻¹, similar to the full dose (8.7 t⋅ha⁻¹). The protein content was highest with 10 t⋅ha⁻¹ of manure combined with mineral fertilization. However, no significant differences were found between the 50%, 75%, and 100% mineral fertilizer doses. In conclusion, applying guinea pig manure improved nutrient use efficiency, yield, and grain protein quality in maize, reducing the need for mineral fertilizers by up to 50%. This provides a sustainable fertilization strategy for agricultural systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Soil Health and Nutrient Management for Crop Productivity)

► Show Figures