A field experiment was conducted during kharif season at the Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar to investigate the effect of crop establishment methods and weed management practices on productivity, economics and nutrient uptake in direct seeded rice. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments constituted three planting methods in main plots (M1 : Puddled, M2 : Zero-tillage and M3 : Dry-seeding ) and seven weed management practices in sub-plots (T1 : Pendimethalin @ 1.0 Kg/ha(PE), T2 : Pretilachlor @ 1.5 Kg/ha (PE), T3: Pendimethalin @ 1.0 Kg/ha(PE) fb one hand weeding at 30 DAS, T4: Pretilachlor @ 1.5 Kg/ha(PE) fb one hand weeding at 30 DAS, T5 : Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) fb 2,4-D @ 1 Kg/ha at 25 DAS, T6 : Two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS, T7 : Weedy check. The prominent weeds found in the experimental plot were among grasses like Cyanodon dactylon and Echinochloa colonum , Echinochloa crusgalli ; sedges like Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iria and broad-leaved weeds like Caesulia axillaris, Eclipta alba, Phyllanthus niruri, Cannabis sativa, Physallis minima, Ageratum conyzoides, Dactyloctenium aegyptium were recorded. Maximum grain yield (35.77 q/ha) was recorded under planting method, puddled condition which established its superiority over zero-tillage (33.91 q/ha). Among weed management practices, two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS recorded the highest grain yield (38.20q/ha). Hand weeding twice alone was found more effective than pre-emergence application of herbicides along with one hand weeding. Among planting methods, puddled condition recorded maximum gross returns of ₹ 61,237/ha and net returns of ₹ 34,088/ha with a B:C ratio of 1.25 and was found significantly superior over zero-tillage and dry-seeding. Among weed management treatments, gross return (₹65,356/ha) was highest under two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS. Net return of ₹ 34,366/ha was also recorded highest under two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS which however, was found statistically at par with Dhaincha (Sesbania aculaeta) fb 2,4-D at 25 DAS which generated a net return of ₹33,986/ha. As far as B:C ratio was concerned, Dhaincha (Sesbania aculaeta) fb 2,4-D at 25 DAS recorded highest B:C ratio of 1.38 and was found significantly superior over rest of the weed management practices. The maximum N and K uptake by crop (70.99 and 65.05 kg/ha, respectively) was observed under planting method puddled condition which was significantly superior to zero-tillage and dry seeding. Although, higher P uptake (14.20kg/ha) was recorded under puddled condition but it was statistically at par with zero-tillage.

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