Impact of Different Transplanting Method and Nitrogen Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oriza sativa L.) cv. Pusa Basmati-1 in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

To investigate the " Impact of Different Transplanting Method and Nitrogen Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oriza sativa L.) cv. Pusa Basmati-1 in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India" a field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayajraj (U.P.) The treatment included three transplanting methods, viz. Transplanting of 21 days old seedlings (farmers practice), Mechanized transplanting of 14 days old seedlings, and Manual transplanting of 14 days old seedlings (SRI), as well as seven nitrogen management, practices viz. RDN (100% N inorganic), RDN (75% N inorganic +25% N through PM), RDN (75% N inorganic +25% N through VC), RDN (75% N inorganic +25 % N through PM + Azospirillum SI), RDN (75% N inorganic +25% N through VC + Azospirillum SI), Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based N application and Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based N application (based on target Yield). The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design, with 21 treatments with the main plot consisting of three planting techniques and seven nitrogen management practices as subplots that were replicated thrice. The results demonstrated that rice productivity was influenced by transplanting methods and nitrogen management approaches. In terms of growth and yield characteristics, the method of transplanting had a considerable impact. Among the various transplanting methods, manual transplanting of 14-day-old seedlings (SRI) produced significantly highest growth contributing characters, yield attributes, and final yield of rice during both the years of experiment. In comparison to farmer practices, manual transplanting of 14-day-old seedlings (SRI) produced 13 percent more effective tillers/m2, 18 percent more panicle/hill, 14 percent more grain yield, and 12 percent more straw yield, followed by mechanized transplanting of 14-day-old seedlings. Furthermore, the application of RDN (75 percent N inorganic+25 percent N through PM+ Azospirillum SI) (N4) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes and yield, which is 20% more grain and 11% more straw yield as compared to RDN (100% N inorganic). As a result, rice growers in the ecological parameter of Uttar Pradesh may use the manual transplanting of 14-day-old seedlings (SRI) method with RDN (75 percent N inorganic + 25 percent N via PM + Azospirillum SI) to increase productivity and profitability.