Effect of divergent plant spacings and age of seedlings on yield and economics of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa)

An investigation was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999, to evaluate the effect of divergent plant spacings and age of seedlings on yield and economics of ‘Pro-Agro 6201’ hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L). Transplanting seedlings at a closest spacing 20 cm x 10 cm produced significantly highest grain (63 q/ha) and straw (162 q/ha) yields and benefit: cost ratio (2.8) than wider spacings of 20 cm x 20 cm and 20 cm x 15 cm but was comparable to 15 cm x 15 spacing. Similarly, transplanting of 21 and 28 day-old-seedlings registered significantly higher grain and straw yields, net monetary returns and benefit: cost ratio than transplanting of thin and lanky seedlings of 14 days.