Performance, nutrient uptake and economics of rainfed rice varieties under different crop establishment techniques

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), during kharif 2017. The treatments consisted of three establishment methods (direct seeding of rice, puddled transplanting, unpuddled transplanting) and six varieties (Sahbhagi Dhan, Abhishek, Sabour Ardhjal, DRR-42, Swarna Shreya, and Rajendra Nilam). Results showed that maximum number of panicles (231.2/m² ), panicle length (28.1 cm), and number of grains per panicle (104.0) were achieved with puddled transplanting. Puddled transplanting showed 8.7% and 9.3% higher grain yields over unpuddled transplanting and direct seeding of rice, respectively. Sahbhagi Dhan recorded the highest number of panicles (230.5/m² ), panicle length (28.8 cm), and number of grains per panicle (104.5). Sahbhagi Dhan recorded significantly higher grain yield (41.5 q/ha) as compared to Abhishek (39.0 q/ha), DRR 42 (37.0 q/ha), and Rajendra Nilam (36.3 q/ha). Sabour Ardhjal, on the other hand, produced significantly higher straw yield (66.2 q/ha) than the others. Puddled transplanting registered significantly higher gross returns of `76170/ha with a B:C ratio of 1.22. Sahbhagi Dhan registered the highest net returns and B:C ratio, followed by Sabour Ardhjal. So, puddled transp