The Effect of Flooding on Seed Germination of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa Complex, Locally Called Padi Angin) under Plant House Condition

Plant house experiment was carried out to determine the effects of time and depth of flooding on the survival and growth of weed Oryza sativa complex (weedy rice). Data showed that time and depth of flooding had significant effects on the survival and growth of weedy rice. Moist and saturated soils favored the survival and growth of weedy rice. Higher seed germinations were found when the seed grew under saturated and 2.5 cm depth of flooding at 21 Days After Seeding (DAS). However, almost all treatments were significantly reduced by depth of flooding. When flooding was delayed until seven days, only plant height was significantly lower at all treatments. A further delay of flooding showed a similar trend of all treatments. Evidently, appropriate water management particularly on timing and depth of flooding are very important factors for controlling weedy rice growth in rice ecosystem. This will help to plan for a proper procedure in weed management due to its infestation in ricefields, and initial step to overcome it.