# These broadleaf weeds can wipe out nearly 40% of a paddy harvest in just three weeks, farmers warn > Shahjahanpur farmer Ranjod Singh says paddy yield can drop by 30 to 40 percent if broadleaf weeds like bathua and khurand are not controlled within 20 to 35 days of transplanting. **Type:** article · **Category:** Uttar Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-07-18 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/dhana-ropai-ke-tina-haphton-men-agara-kheta-men-ye-paudhe-teji-se-phailen-to-samajha-len-upaja-ko-khatara-8571 · **Language:** English **Tags:** paddy farming, weed control, integrated weed management, Shahjahanpur farmers, Almix spray, paddy yield The first three to four weeks after paddy is transplanted are the most critical window for a field, because this is exactly when broadleaf weeds shoot up fast and start robbing young rice plants of water, nutrients and sunlight. Ranjod Singh, a farmer from Shahjahanpur, says that unless these weeds are brought under control within 20 to 35 days of transplanting, the entire crop takes a direct hit and a farmer's hard work can go to waste. ## The weeds that trouble paddy fields the most According to Ranjod Singh, the broadleaf weeds that cause the most trouble in paddy fields include bathua, khurand, mirchiya, kenkwa and jalkumbhi or water weeds. In scientific terms, bathua is known as Chenopodium album, khurand as Chrozophora rottleri and kenkwa as Commelina benghalensis. These plants start emerging from the soil almost as soon as transplanting is over, and because of their broad leaves they spread across an entire field within a matter of weeks. Once they take root, they multiply so fast that the main paddy crop's growth simply stalls. ## Why this spread does so much damage These weeds draw up the same nitrogen, phosphorus and potash through their roots that should actually be feeding the rice plants. Their large, broad leaves block sunlight from reaching the crop below, which slows down photosynthesis in the paddy leaves. On top of that, this dense cover of leaves gives harmful insects a safe place to hide, adding a separate pest risk. The end result is that rice plants stay thin and weak, they produce fewer tillers, and eventually both the weight and the quality of the grain suffer. Without timely control, overall yield can fall by 30 to 40 percent, a loss that hits any farming family hard. ## Steps to try before reaching for chemicals Ranjod Singh advises that farmers should not rely on chemicals alone and should instead follow integrated weed management, or IWM, because it is safer and more sustainable over the long run. This includes hand weeding, proper water management in the field, and choosing certified seeds for sowing. A deep tillage of the field before transplanting or sowing destroys weed seeds hiding in the soil early on, reducing trouble later. Keeping 4 to 5 centimetres of standing water in the field for three to four weeks after transplanting also stops broadleaf weed seeds from germinating in the first place, which cuts down the need for chemical spraying on its own. ## When and how to spray if the infestation is severe Ranjod Singh says that if the weed infestation is still severe despite these steps, spraying a chemical weedicide remains the last and most effective option. For this, 20 to 25 days after transplanting, once the weeds have grown 2 to 4 leaves, a mix of metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl, sold as Almix, should be dissolved and sprayed at 8 grams per acre. The field must have enough moisture at the time of spraying, but it should not be waterlogged, otherwise the chemical fails to work properly. A flat fan nozzle should always be used so that the spray spreads evenly across every corner of the field. Ranjod Singh cautions that spraying repeatedly without proper judgment lets weeds build resistance to the chemical, and constant chemical use also harms the soil's fertility over time, so spraying should only be done when it is genuinely necessary. ## What this means for you - **Across India:** Paddy growers in any state need to control broadleaf weeds within 20 to 35 days of transplanting, or risk a 30 to 40 percent drop in yield, which can also affect the availability of paddy and rice in the market. - **In Shahjahanpur:** Local farmers following Ranjod Singh's advice on timely hand weeding, water management or a well-timed Almix spray can protect both their crop and their income from this damage. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When do broadleaf weeds harm paddy the most? If these weeds are not controlled within 20 to 35 days of transplanting, they cause the most damage to the crop. ### 2. Which weeds commonly grow in paddy fields? Broadleaf weeds like bathua, khurand, mirchiya, kenkwa and jalkumbhi cause the most trouble in paddy fields. ### 3. How much can paddy yield fall without control? Without timely control, yield can fall by 30 to 40 percent. ### 4. When and how should chemical spraying be done? 20 to 25 days after transplanting, once weeds have 2 to 4 leaves, spray Almix at 8 grams per acre in a moist but not waterlogged field. ### 5. How can weeds be controlled without chemicals? Deep tillage before sowing, keeping 4 to 5 centimetres of water for the first few weeks, hand weeding and using certified seeds can control weeds without chemicals. ### 6. What happens if chemical spraying is repeated too often? Repeated, unnecessary spraying lets weeds build resistance to the chemical and harms the soil's fertility over time. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._