Agronomic Efficiency and Economics of Crop Establishing Techniques and Nitrogen Application in Fine Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa)

Different crop establishing techniques and nitrogen application levels have crucial role in determining the production of rice. A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Pakistan during 2015 and 2016 to compare four planting methods i.e., broadcast sowing (BS), drill sowing (DS), ridge sowing (RS) and puddled transplanted rice (PTR) along with four nitrogen rates viz., N-0: control, N-133: 133 kg ha(-1), N-166: 166 kg ha(-1) and N-199: 199 kg ha(-1) using fine aromatic rice cultivar Super Basmati. Highest tiller density m(-2), panicle length, filled grain density per panicle, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were achieved for RS followed by DS while the minimum grain yield along with other yield contributing factors was recorded in PTR. Likely, highest filled grain density per panicle, grain yield, harvest index and minimum sterility percentage was recorded with 166 kg N ha(-1) compared to control. For the interaction highest grain yield and harvest index was obtained in RS for 166 kg N ha(-1) whereas minimum in PTR. Highest net profit and cost-benefit ratio was recorded with RS and 166 kg N ha(-1). Hence, RS with application of 166 kg N ha(-1) can be recommended to harvest the maximum grain yield and net profit in rice. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publishers