Effect of crop establishment and irrigation methods on summer rice (Oryza sativa)

Field experiment was conducted during summer (Kharif) seasons of 2012 and 2013 at the research cum instructional farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh to evaluate the effect of crop establishment and irrigation methods on productivity and quality of summer rice (Oryza sativa L.). Out of the 3 methods of crop establishment, viz. direct-seeded rice (DSR), transplanted rice (TPR) and wet-seeded rice (WSR); TPR produced significantly higher grain yield (4.8 t/ha) which was statistically at par with direct-seeded rice (4.6 t/ha). Among the 4 methods of irrigation, viz. conventional irrigation, alternate wetting and drying, drip and sprinkler irrigation methods; drip irrigation recorded the maximum grain yield over the rest of the irrigation methods followed by recommended practice with respect to grain yield and quality parameters. TPR recorded maximum grain length which was statistically at par with DSR and minimum grain length was measured in WSR. Among methods of irrigation, drip irrigated crop attained maximum grain length which was statistically at par with recommended practice and conventional irrigation. Significant variations were observed in rice length due to crop establishment and irrigation methods. TPR and drip irrigation methods recorded the maximum rice grain length. TPR resulted in the highest net returns ( 37.05 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.34) among crop establishment methods; whereas among irrigation methods, drip irrigation recorded significantly higher net returns ( 44.14 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.77).