Impact of Nursery Seeding Density, Nitrogen, and Seedling Age on Yield and Yield Attributes of Fine Rice

Abstract

1Producing vigorous seedlings and transplanting them at the appropriate age are the most important factors for obtaining high yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy production. The impact of seeding densities, N, and seedling age was evaluated in this experiment after transplanting 10, 20, 30 and 40-d old seedlings raised by using different seeding rates (high and low) and N conditions (with and without) in the 2008 and 2009 rice growing seasons. The study revealed that 10-d-old nursery seedlings, irrespective of seeding densities and fertilizer application, showed higher yields and yield attributes (productive tillers, plant height, 1000-grain weight, and straw yield), while at later stages significant interaction was observed with nursery management. Transplanting of 20-d older fertile seedlings grown with low seeding density at nursery-bed, resulted in a higher number of productive tillers m -2 (233.3, 227.3), straw yield (11.1, 10.7 t ha -1 ), and final yield (3.6, 3.4 t ha -1 ) in both years, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Yield and yield attributes were significantly reduced by transplanting older seedlings grown at high seeding density and without N application at nursery-bed. Minimum productive tillers (165.7, 133), straw yield (8.7, 8.1 t ha -1 ) and paddy yield (2.0, 1.8 t ha -1) were recorded with transplanting 40-d older seedlings grown at high seeding density and without N application. These findings support the use of young seedling in a system of rice intensification and illustrate that by making a minor additional investment to raise healthy and vigorous seedlings in nursery seed-bed, farmers can improve yields.

Effect of different fertilizer treatments on the performance of some local rice varieties under SRI (system of rice intensification) and conventional management practices at district Swat

“…This might be due to high auxin production. These findings are in accordance with [38]. Combined application of nutrients and zinc caused significant improvement in number of tillers plant -1 , plant height, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index and 1000-grain weight over other treatments.…”

Nursery Fertilizer Application Increases Rice Growth and Yield in Rainfed Lowlands with or without Post-Transplanting Crop Stress

“…Adhikari et al reported that transplanting 40-day-old rice seedlings increased rice yield and effective tiller number in the monsoon season compared to 20-day-old rice seedlings on a loamy, moderately fertile soil in Nepal [7]. By contrast, a number of recent studies, spurred by the interest in the system for rice intensification (SRI), have found increased post-transplanting rice yield from seedlings as young as 10 days compared to those 20 -40 days old [8].…”

Impact of Rice Nursery Nutrient Management, Seeding Density and Seedling Age on Yield and Yield Attributes

“…In Nepal, rice production generally depends on monsoon rain, the seedlings are transplanted only after sufficient rainfall for land preparation and planting has occurred. The seedling age in Pakistan mainly depends on the availability of water, labor, herbicides and other inputs and the majority of rice farmers have been seen to use higher seed rates then recommended and stated very high seeding densities in the rice nursery and the use of older seedlings for transplanting is a major reason of lower rice yield [27].…”