Optimization of nitrogen scheduling for higher productivity in machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) in southern zone of telangana

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Institiute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana on a clay loam soil during the kharif seasons of 2014 and 2015 to study the “Optimization of nitrogen scheduling for higher productivity in machine transplanted rice (Oryzasativa L.) in southern zone of Telanganaâ€. Experiment was taken up in a split plot design with
three nitrogen levels (120, 160 and 200 kg N ha-1) were kept as main plot treatments and three split schedules (2 equal splits at active tillering and panicle initiation, 3 equal splits at initial tillering, active tillering and panicle initiation and 4 equal splits at initial tillering, active tillering, tillering and panicle initiation) as sub plot treatments with three replications using the long duration variety BPT 5204. Application of 200 kg N ha-1gave significantly higher number of panicles m-2 (395), panicle length (21.7cm), filled grains panicle-1 (237.0), grain yield (6,119 kg ha-1) and straw yield (8,597 kg ha-1) over 120 kg N ha-1and was at par with application of 160 kg N ha-1. Three equal split applications recorded maximum panicles m-2(382), grain (6,028 kg ha-1) and straw (8,164 kg ha-1) yield. Combination of 200 kg N ha-1 applied at 3 equal split recorded highest grain yield, net returns and B:C ratio and was at par with 160 kg N ha-1 applied in 3 equal splits.