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Journal of Tropical Agriculture 40 (2002): 65-66

COMPARISON BETWEEN TRANSPLANTING AND DIRECT-SEEDING METHODSCROP ESTABLISHMENT IN RICE

Transplanting, which is the popular method ofcrop establishment in rice particularly duringrabi season, demands more quantity of labourand hence increases the cost of production andalso often results in delay in planting due tolabour scarcity. It would be advantageous, iftransplanting could be substituted by a low-costmethod of crop establishment.

Field experiments were conducted at theRegional Agricultural Research Station,Pattambi for three rabi seasons consecutivelyfrom 1996-97, to study the feasibility ofsubstituting transplanting by direct seeding inrice. Transplanting of seedlings, broadcastingand line-seeding of sprouted seeds were testedunder two weed management practices viz.,manual and chemical weeding, for the first twoyears. Experiments were laid out in randomizedblock design with three replications. During1998 99 di di f d d b

on the same day of direct seedingtransplanted on 18 th day (random planting spacing of 15 cm x 10 cm as per the treatmFor seeding with DRR wet-seeder, seedradicle just emerged was used. In treawhere hand weeding was involved, thewere kept weed-free up to maximum tistage. All other management practicesthan the treatments were done as precommendations of the Kerala AgricUniversity (KAU, 1996).

The details of treatments and the data onyield are given in Table 1. In the firyears of the study (1996-97 and 1997-98)was no significant difference in grainbetween the treatments. Averaging ovcrop establishment methods, during 19transplanting, broadcasting and line-srecorded an yield of6091 kg ha"1, 5848

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JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICU

control is possible. Similar results have beenreported by IRRI (1997). The weed menace

associated with the direct seeding system couldbe overcome by application of herbicides.Considering the advantages of getting adequateplant population, desired crop geometry andeasiness in weeding, placement of seeds by the

wet-seeder would be a better technologdirect seeding rice. However, it wa

detailed investigations on direct seedingrespect to seed rate, spacing, variety suitaweed management, water control, preparation and other associated managaspects.

Regional Agricultural Research StationPattambi, Kerala, India

I. Johnkutty, Gracy MaJose M

REFERENCES

IRRI, 1997. Progress Report 1996. Crop and Resource Management Network. International Rice Research Institute. Philippines

Kerala Agricultural University.1996.

Package of Practices Recommendations- Crops. Directorate of Extension,Thrissur