EFFECT OF INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT AND CROP ESTABLISHMENT METHODS ON DIRECT SEEDED RICE THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy Supervisor Submitted by Prof. U.P. Singh Nikhil Kumar Singh Department of Agronomy Institute of Agricultural Sciences Banaras Hindu University Varanasi DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY VARANASI-221005 INDIA Id. No. PA – 0701 2012 Enrolment No. 297104 Copyright @ Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi India (2012), All right reserved. UNDERTAKING OF THE CANDIDATE I, Nikhil Kumar Singh, research scholar under the supervision of Dr. U. P. Singh, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, give undertaking that the thesis entitled “Effect of integrated weed management and crop establishment methods on direct seeded rice” submitted by me for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a record of first hand research work done by me during the period of study. I avail myself to responsibility such as an act will be taken on behalf of me, mistakes, errors of fact and misinterpretation are of course entirely my own. Date: .......... Place: Varanasi (Nikhil Kumar Singh) Annexure – E (See clause XIII.2 (b) (iii)) CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I, Nikhil Kumar Singh, certify that the work embodied in this Ph. D. thesis is my own bonafide work carried out by me under the supervision of U. P. Singh, Professor for a period of 11th August, 2007 to June, 2012 at Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.). The matter embodied in this Ph.D. thesis has not been submitted for the award of any other degree/diploma. I declare that I have faithfully acknowledged, given credit to and referred to the research workers wherever their works have been cited in the text and the body of the thesis. I further certify that I have not wilfully lifted up some other’s work, para, text, data, results, etc, reported in the journals, books, magazines, reports, dissertations, thesis, etc., or available at web- sites and included them in this Ph.D. thesis and cited as my own work. Date: Place: Varanasi (Nikhil Kumar Singh) CERTIFICATE FROM THE SUPERVISOR This is to certify that the above statement made by the candidate is correct to the best of my knowledge. Supervisor’s signature Dr. U. P. Singh (Professor) (Signature of the Head of the Department with seal) Annexure – F (See clause XIII.1 (c) and XIII.2 (b) (iv)) COURSE WORK COMPLETION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Sri Nikhil Kumar Singh, a bonafide research scholar of the Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, has successfully completed the course work requirement which is a part of his Ph.D. programme. Date: ………. Place: Varanasi (Signature of the Head of the Department) Annexure – F (See clause XIII.1 (c) and XIII.2 (b) (iv)) COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS WELL AS COMPREHENSIVE ORAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Sri Nikhil Kumar Singh, a bonafide research scholar of the Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, has successfully completed the comprehensive written examination as well as comprehensive oral which are a part of his Ph. D. programme. Date: ………. Place: Varanasi (Signature of the Head of the Department) Annexure – F (See clause XIII.1 (c) and XIII.2 (b) (iv)) PRE-SUBMISSION SEMINAR COMPLETION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Sri Nikhil Kumar Singh, a bonafide research scholar of the Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, has successfully completed the pre-submission seminar requirement which is a part of his Ph. D. programme. Date: ………. Place: Varanasi (Signature of the Head of the Department) Annexure – G (See clause XIII.2 (b) (v)) COPYRIGHT TRANSFER CERTIFICATE Title of the thesis : “Effect of integrated weed management and crop establishment methods on direct seeded rice” Candidates Name : Nikhil Kumar Singh COPYRIGHT TRANSFER The undersigned hereby assigns to the Banaras Hindu University all right under copyright that may exist in and for the above thesis submitted for the award of the Ph.D. degree. (Nikhil Kumar Singh) Note: However, the author may reproduce or authorize others to reproduce material extracted verbatim from the thesis or derivative of the thesis for author’s personal use provided that the source and the University’s copyright notice are indicated. EFFECT OF INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT AND CROP ESTABLISHMENT METHODS ON DIRECT SEEDED RICE By Nikhil Kumar Singh Thesis submitted in the partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of “DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRONOMY”, Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. APPROVED BY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chairman/Supervisor : Dr. U. P. Singh (Professor) Department of Agronomy Members : Dr. Rajendra Prasad Singh (Professor and Head) Department of Agronomy : Dr. Yashwant Singh (Professor) Department of Agronomy : Dr. S. K. Singh (Professor) Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry EXTERNAL EXAMINER : ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Enrolling for a Ph.D. programme in the eponymous holy place Varanasi was indeed a watershed experience in my life for which I am eternally indebted to the Banaras Hindu University and its founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Ji for his life time sacrifice and efforts in establishing such a great temple of learning for the cause of millions of student like me. The choice of my topic for the research has largely grown out of my interest and intellectual commitment to my alma mater, which had turnout to be an eventful accomplishment in my career. At this juncture, it is my prime duty to remember and express my love and indebtedness to those who have extended their kind help, moral support and co-operation directly or indirectly in successful completion of this research work. No words adequately express my feeling for them yet these lines are not exaggeration but feelings, which come straight from my heart. My indescribable indebtedness begins with the obeisance to the presiding deity of the city Lord Shiva and Bajarang Bali. It is really highly fortunate that I got the great opportunity to work under the golden heart personality, Dr. U. P. Singh, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Chairman of my advisory committee. It is beyond my apprehension to express my deep sense of gratitude to him for his skilful and noble guidance, vast experience, unrivalled knowledge, incessant inspiration, stimulating discussion, healthy criticism, unstinting moral support and above all his scientific and humanitarian approach which had left in an everlasting impression on the canvass of my mind and helped me in completing this research work on time. Throughout my study period, he sustained me with his parental care and thoughtful advice which helped me to cope with many problematic situations. It had indeed been my privilege to work under his supervision and I will remain indebted to him. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Singh, Professor & Head, for providing necessary facilities during my work. I am also thankful to Dr. Y. Singh, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Dr. S. K. Singh, Professor, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry and members of my advisory committee for their erudite suggestions and co-operation. My ecstatic thanks to Prof. R.P. Singh, Prof. Kalyan Singh, Prof. Avijit Sen, Prof. J.S. Bohra, Prof. J.P. Singh, Prof. T. Singh, Prof. Ramesh Kumar Singh, Prof. Ram Kumar Singh, Prof. V.K. Srivastava, Prof. R.N. Singh, Prof. S. P. Singh, Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh (R), Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh (L), Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Dr. R.N. Meena, Dr. S. K. Prasad and all other teachers who taught me various courses related to my Ph.D. degree programme and also for their valuable suggestion and encouragement.