Effect of different methods of rice establishment and organic and inorganic source of nutrients on yield and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Shradhay Bhagwati Singh Agriculture Research Farm (Hajipur), Chandra Bhanu Gupta Krishi Snatkottar Mahavidyalaya, B.K.T., Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) during kharif (rainy) season in 2022. The treatment consisted of three methods of establishment (M₁- Broadcast of sprouted seed on puddled soil, M₂- Transplanting of 21 days old seedling, M₃- Direct seeding in lines after pre-irrigation) and four fertilizer management practices (F₁-100% RDF-IF, F₂- 25% RDF-IF+ 75% RDN-FYM, F₃- 50% RDF-IF + 50% RDN-FYM, and F₄- 75% RDF-IF + 25% RDN-FYM) were tested in split-plot design with 3 replications. The experimental site was silty loam having medium organic carbon (0.70%) and available nitrogen (270 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorous (27 kg ha⁻¹) and potassium (262 kg ha⁻¹). The N, P and K uptake in grain and straw was higher under transplanting of 21 days old seedling (M₂). The per cent increase in grain yield due to transplanting of 21 days old seedlings was recorded to be 11.51% and 27.17% over direct seeding in lines and broadcast of sprouted seeds in puddled soil, respectively. Crop fertilized with 75% RDF (IF) + 25% RDN-FYM recorded significantly highest growth characters, yield and nutrient uptake over 50% RDF + 50% RDN-FYM and 25% RDF + 75 %RDN-FYM. The gross return, net return and benefit: cost ratio being highest with treatment combination M₂F₄ (Transplanting of 21 days old seedling + 75% RDF (IF) + 25% RDN-FYM).