A field study was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the efficacy
of different pre and post emergence herbicides in dry direct seeded rice (DDSR) at the
Agricultural Research Station, Kunaram, Telangana state, India. This study highlights the
importance of effective weed management strategies in dry direct-seeded rice (DDSR),
particularly under the conditions of Telangana, India.Fourteen different treatments were tested,
including both pre-emergence (PE) and post-emergence (PoE) herbicides, along with manual
weeding and an untreated control. Pre-emergence herbicides included pendimethalin 38.7% CS,
pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 10% WP, and a ready-mix of pendimethalin 38.4% + pyrazosulfuron-ethyl
0.85% ZC (Ready mix). Post-emergence herbicides included triafamone 20% + ethoxysulfuron
10% WG (Ready mix), penoxsulam + cyhalofop-butyl 5.1% OD (Ready mix), and metsulfuron-
methyl 10% + chlorimuron-ethyl 10% WP (Ready mix). The pooled data analysis revealed that
the application of pendimethalin 38.7% CS as a pre-emergence (PE) herbicide, followed by
penoxsulam 1.02% + cyhalofop-butyl 5.1% OD (ready mix) as a post-emergence (PoE)
herbicide, was the most effective treatment against grasses, sedges, and broadleaved weeds. The
weed control efficiency at 15, 30, and 60 DAS was higher (55.79%, 79.52%, and 83.92%,
respectively) with the application of pendimethalin 38.7% CS (PE) followed by penoxsulam
1.02% + cyhalofop-butyl 5.1% OD (ready mix) PoE compared to other chemical herbicides and
the untreated control. Similarly, higher rice grain and straw yields, along with maximum net
returns, were observed with these combinations. Therefore, it was concluded that the pre-
emergence application of pendimethalin 38.7% CS, followed by the post-emergence application
of penoxsulam 1.02% + cyhalofop-butyl 5.1% OD (ready mix) or triafamone 20% +
ethoxysulfuron 10% WG (ready mix), appeared to be a viable strategy for weed control in dry
direct-seeded rice, ensuring higher economic returns.