Production potential and economic analysis of direct-sown rice (Oryza sativa)– wheat (Triticum aestivum) system as influenced by rice varieties, nutrient management and weed-control measures

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 1999–2000 and 2000–01 at Modipuram in Meerut district to identify the most suitable rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety for direct seeding under unpuddled conditions, and also to study the effect of sulphur and weed-control measures on rice-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.] system. Rice varieties ‘DRRH 1’ and ‘Jaya’ recorded mean yields of 71.5 and 66.7 q/ha respectively, which were significantly higher than of ‘PAC 808’ (50 q/ha) and ‘Pusa Basmati’ (45.8 q/ha). Application of sulphur @ 30 kg/ha and weed control did not influence the productivity of both the crops. However, application of isoproturon @ 1.25 kg/ha + 2, 4-D @ 0.8 kg/ha significantly affected the mean yield (49.3 q/ha) of wheat than hand-weeding (47.4 q/ha). Rice ‘Jaya’ - wheat (Rs. 39,094/ha) and rice ‘DRRH 1’–wheat (Rs 38,828/ha) system gave significantly higher net returns than rice ‘Pusa Basmati 1’–wheat (Rs 37,752/ha) and rice ‘PAC 808’–wheat (Rs 33,871/ha) systems.