A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2009 & 2010 at Model Organic Farm of Department of Organic agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalya Palampur in factorial randomized block design with three replications consisting of eight treatment combinations. The treatments included two methods of weeding (mechanical weeding with cono weeder & hand weeding) and 4 spacings (25x25, 30x30, 20x20 and 30x20 cm). Rice variety RP-2421 was transplanted in second week of July during both the years following all organic packages of practices. The weeding was done at 20 & 40 days after transplanting rice. The dominant species of weeds were Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis and Panicum  dichotomiflorum among grasses; Cyperus iria and Cyperus difforimis among sedges and Aeschynomera indica, Ammania spp and Commelina benghalensis among broadleaved weeds.The experimental results revealed that 2 mechanical weedings with cono-weeder at 20 & 40 DAT resulted in significantly higher values of yield attributes viz. effective tillers/m2 & panicle length and hence higher paddy yield and lower weed dry weight over hand weeding twice (20 & 40 DAT). However, grains/ panicle and 1000 grain weight did not vary significantly during both the years. Among spacings 30x30 cm being at par with 25x25 cm & 30x20 cm recorded significantly higher paddy yield and lower weed dry weight over 20x20 cm during both the years. The interactions between method of weedings& spacing were observed to be non-significant during both the years of study.

The present study was conducted to find out the status of major insects and diseases and utilization pattern of agro-chemicals in irrigated rice cultivation by the farmers of Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh State. The analysis on major insect in irrigated rice crop revealed that majority of the respondents marked Yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) as major insect, followed by Brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens). The analysis on insect management practices in irrigated rice crop revealed that all the respondents were using chemical practices as major management practice, followed by physical practices. The analysis on major insecticides used in irrigated rice revealed that Chlorpyriphos 20% EC was popular insecticide, followed by Quinalphos 25% EC. In irrigated rice, major disease was found Blast, followed by Brown spot. The analysis on disease management practices in irrigated rice crop revealed that all the respondents were using chemical practices as major management practice, followed by physical practices. Majority of the respondents were using Carbendazim as major fungicide in irrigated rice crop, followed by Hexaconazol 5% EC.

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