AGRONOMIC PRACTICES FOR AUGMENTING RICE (ORYZA-SATIVA) PRODUCTION IN RAIN-FED UPLAND ECOSYSTEM OF ORISSA

The trials were conducted on institute farm and farmers' fields during wet seasons of 1980-87 to evolve suitable management practices for rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rainfed upland ecosystem of Orissa. For coastal uplands (alluvial soils) of Orissa, 'Annada' (100-day duration) rice was found highly promising. Dibble seeding in furrows spaced at 20 cm improved the crop stand and yield substantially over broadcast seeding. Crop stand and yield could also be improved by 25 and 45%, respectively, by coating of seeds with farmyard manure and sowing the same at 6 cm depth compared with uncoated seeds. Maximum response (49 kg grain/kg N applied) to application of moderate level of N (40 kg/ha) was obtained in 'Annada' by applying the entire quantity in the form of farmyard manure incubated urea in seed furrows at the time of sowing. An integrated system of weed management, combining advanced tillage practices (stale seed-bed) and herbicide use was found to be a better alternative to expensive hand-weeding method. Possibility of obtaining higher economic returns from uplands was shown by intercropping rice with pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] in 4:1 ratio. Sequential cropping with rice was possible with crops like horse-gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdcourt; syn Dolichos uniflorus Lam.], blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) and sunflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.).