Effect of Planting Methods and Seedling Age on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Rice under High Rainfall Areas of Bay Islands

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field during Kharif season at Badmaspahar village of South Andaman under National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) to find out the influence of planting methods, seedling age on growth, productivity, profitability, nutrient uptake of rice under higher rainfall areas of Bay Islands. Among the method of planting and age of seedlings, square planting with 14 days old seedlings recorded the highest dry matter production of 63.2% higher dry matter production as compared to random planting with 28 days old seedlings. Maximum grain and straw yield of 4855 and 9460 kg/ha respectively was recorded square planting (20 x 20 cm) with 14 days old seedling which was 64.6, 45.6 and 71.7, 59.9% higher grain and straw yield as compared to random planting with 28 days old seedlings and same age of seedlings with line planting respectively. Higher gross return of Rs. 50920/ ha and net return of Rs. 32170/ ha with B: C ratio of 2.72 was recorded in square planting (20 x 20 cm) with 14 days old seedling. The higher N, P and K uptake of rice (78.7, 25.1 and 114.8 kg/ha, respectively) was recorded in square planting (20 x 20 cm) with 14 days old seedlings was comparable with line planting (20 x 15 cm) with 14 days old seedlings. Hence, it can be concluded that square planting (20 x 20 cm) with 14 days old seedlings with stand lodging, produced more economic yield and net return for realizing efficient use of resources and productivity.