EFFECT OF DIFFERENT WATER DEPTHS ON PLANT POPULATION AND RICE (Oryza sativa) YIELD AT TIME OF TRASPLANTING USING MECHANIZED TRANSPLANTER [ READ ]
Muhammad Usman Saleem, Muhammad Akhtar, Umar Farooq, Nadeem Iqbal & Zulqarnain Haider
Studies were conducted at experimental fields of Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku for two years (2010 to 2011) in order to ascertain the effects of different surface water levels at the time of mechanical rice transplanting on plant population in terms of number of missing hills and rice productivity. A six row self propelled paddy transplanter was used for the purpose. As control treatment, rice transplanting was also carried out on muddy soil condition. Three water depths of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm were taken in account; each water depth was replicated four times. Nursery for transplanting was raised on mate type plastic trays. The results indicated that maximum paddy yield (5.20 t/ha) was obtained where water depth at transplanting time was maintained at 2.5 cm followed by transplanting in 5.0 cm water depth where the paddy yield was 4.76 t/ha. The minimum paddy yield (4.12 t/ha) was obtained where 7.5 cm water depth at transplanting time was maintained. Surplus or more than required water at transplanting time resulted in reduced growth and significantly decreased the number of missing hills m-2 which ultimately reduced the required number of plant population per acre. It was estimated that increased water depth (7.5 cm) at transplanting time decreased paddy yield by 26.2 %. However, in case of transplanting at 2.5 cm water level, maximum yield was obtained primarily due to highest number of hills per meter square, followed by increased number of productive tillers per plant and number of fertile grains per panicle.
Muhammad Usman Saleem, Muhammad Akhtar, Umar Farooq, Nadeem Iqbal & Zulqarnain Haider
Studies were conducted at experimental fields of Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku for two years (2010 to 2011) in order to ascertain the effects of different surface water levels at the time of mechanical rice transplanting on plant population in terms of number of missing hills and rice productivity. A six row self propelled paddy transplanter was used for the purpose. As control treatment, rice transplanting was also carried out on muddy soil condition. Three water depths of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm were taken in account; each water depth was replicated four times. Nursery for transplanting was raised on mate type plastic trays. The results indicated that maximum paddy yield (5.20 t/ha) was obtained where water depth at transplanting time was maintained at 2.5 cm followed by transplanting in 5.0 cm water depth where the paddy yield was 4.76 t/ha. The minimum paddy yield (4.12 t/ha) was obtained where 7.5 cm water depth at transplanting time was maintained. Surplus or more than required water at transplanting time resulted in reduced growth and significantly decreased the number of missing hills m-2 which ultimately reduced the required number of plant population per acre. It was estimated that increased water depth (7.5 cm) at transplanting time decreased paddy yield by 26.2 %. However, in case of transplanting at 2.5 cm water level, maximum yield was obtained primarily due to highest number of hills per meter square, followed by increased number of productive tillers per plant and number of fertile grains per panicle.
