Effectiveness and persistence of metsulfuron-methyl herbicide in rice fields with compost organic materials

Abstract

Background and Objective: Metsulfuron-methyl is a pre and post-emergence herbicide that can control weeds in lowland rice cultivation, but the level of persistence is not certain. This study aimed to examine the effect of giving organic matter and the dose of the herbicide Metsulfuron-methyl to weeds, rice growth and yield, as well as to determine the level of persistence. Materials and Methods: The trial started from January-June, 2018 which was carried out in the Rice Fields of Cinunuk Village, Cileunyi District, Bandung Regency. The experiment used a bi-factor and was carried out using a divided plot design which was repeated three times, the main plot factor was the organic matter, consisting of two levels, namely: Low C-organic content (1.86%) and High organic C content (3.5%), while, subplot factor is the dose Metsulfuron-methyl herbicide, consisting of 5 levels: No herbicide, Metsulfuron-methyl dose 0.0010 kg a.i. haG1, Metsulfuron-methyl dose 0.0020 kg a.i. haG1, Metsulfuron-methyl dose 0.0030 kg a.i. haG1 and Metsulfuron-methyl dose 0.0040 kg a.i. haG1. Results: The results showed that the treatment of Metsulfuron-methyl herbicide from a dose of 0.0010 kg a.i. haG1 to a dose of 0.0040 kg a.i. haG1 could increase the growth and yield of rice plants. The persistence of the Metsulfuron-methyl herbicide starting at a dose of 0.0010-0.0040 kg a.i. haG1at each C-organic content showed a value of 0 on observations 90 days after application. Conclusion: The increase in C-organic content in the soil caused a decrease in the persistence of the Metsulfuron-methyl herbicide.