Combined effect of land preparation methods and planting geometry on the performance of machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Field experiment on effect of land preparation methods and planting geometry on growth and yield of machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka during kharif, 2012 and 2013 in clay soil under irrigated condition.
Pooled mean indicated that, among the different land preparation methods and planting geometry puddling with rotovator fb levelling with spike tooth harrow and planting geometry of 30 x 21 cm recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., Leaf area index ( 2.87 and 1.56, respectively) , dry matter accumulation in leaves (13.44 and 14.43 g plant-1, respectively), dry matter accumulation in stem (26.25 and 29.31 g plant-1 , respectively), dry matter accumulation in panicles ( 37.21 and 41.38 g plant-1 , respectively), total dry matter accumulation in plant (73.82 and 85.12 g plant-1, respectively), thousand grain weight (18.17 and 18.71,g respectively), grain yield (4906 and 5192 kg ha-1 , respectively), straw yield (6247 and 6508 kg ha-1, respectively), gross returns (Rs. 87,733 and 92779 ha-1, respectively), net returns (Rs. 46329 and 50007 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.14 and 2.20 ). Puddling with rotovator fb levelling with spike tooth harrow and 30 x 21 cm spacing were found better for transplanting of rice by self propelled mechanical transplanter. Land preparation would be helpful as one of the important pre requirement in machine transplanting of rice, which in turn will decide the time (time required for settling of soil particle) and type of machine to be used for transplanting of rice.