Effect of stand-establishment techniques on yield and economics of lowland irrigated rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loamy soils at Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paiyur, to compare and assess the practical feasibility of different stand-establishment techniques in lowland irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) during wet and dry seasons of 1999 and 2000. Four stand-establishment techniques, viz. transplanting, throwing of seedlings, direct (wet) seeding by manual broadcasting and wet seeding by drum seeder, were tried in randomized block design with 5 replications. Pooled analysis of data revealed that wet seeding by manual broadcasting (57.22 q/ha) and wet seeding by drum seeder (56.57 q/ha) has recorded higher yield and it was on a par with the traditional transplanting method (55.76 a/ha). However, both the direct seeding practices registered the maximum net income of Rs 19,039 and Rs 18,587/ha with benefit: cost ratio of 2.33 and 2.29 in manual broadcasting and drum seeder, respectively, besides reducing the 50% flowering duration by 7 days from traditional transplanting method.