Impact of rice straw mulch on growth, yield components and yield of direct seeded lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The impact of a rice straw mulch (RSM) under optimal mineral fertilized conditions on growth, yield components and yield of dry-direct seeded (DDSR) and wetdirect seeded rice (WDSR) was evaluated under field conditions over four consecutive seasons to include two dry (DS) and two wet (WS) seasons, in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The RSM could be applied in WDSR in both seasons and DDSR in WS at a rate of 4t/ha without affecting the seedling density. RSM in WDSR, especially at initial stages of plant growth (i.e. 35 days after sowing) increased plant height, length of the longest root and total root length significantly than in non mulched and DDSR-RSM plots. Shoot and root biomass were also significantly increased by RSM in WDSR in both seasons. Rice straw mulch increased panicle number per unit area and number of spikelets per panicle in WDSR-RSM in both seasons. A significantly high yield could be achieved in WDSR-RSM, WDSR-chemical weeding (C) and DDSR-C treatments in both seasons. The yield enhancement was attributed to yield components, principally panicle number per unit area and number of spikelet per panicle. There was a greater panicle number per unit area in the DS while the WS favors more spikelets per panicle. The study indicated the possibility of enhancing the rice plant growth, yield components and yields of rice in wet-direct seeded lowland rice by rice straw mulch in both seasons in this region.

Effect of mulch and organic amendment on yield performance of dry direct seeded BORO rice

“…The maximum weight of 1000-grains (24.75 g) was obtained from M 1 and the lowest weight of 1000-grains (24.72 g) was obtained from M 2 (Table 5). Similar results due to application of rice straw mulch have been reported by Devasinghe et al (2013). They found that weight of 1000-grains were increased with the application of rice straw mulch.…”

“…From the table 5 it is also clear that about 9.93% grain yield was increased over no mulching. Similar results on grain yield due to application of rice straw mulch have been reported by Devasinghe et al (2013). They found that grain yield was increased with the application of rice straw mulch.…”

“…The highest number of total tillers hill -1 (15.27) was obtained from M 1 and the lowest number of total tillers hill -1 (14.56) was obtained from M 2 (Table 4). Similar results on number of total tillers hill -1 due to application of rice straw mulch have been reported by Devasinghe et al (2013). They found that number of total tillers hill -1 were increased with the application of rice straw mulch.…”

“…The highest panicle length (22.89cm) was obtained from M 1 and the lowest panicle length (22.44cm) was obtained from M 2 (Table 4). Similar results on panicle length due to application of rice straw mulch have been reported by Devasinghe et al (2013). They found that panicle length was increased with the application of rice straw mulch.…”

The Potential of Rice Straw in Agricultural Activities in the MADA Region of Kedah, Malaysia

“…A study conducted by Devasinghe et al (2013) in Sri Lanka revealed that the use of rice straw as mulch material can increase the production of rice. The increase in rice yield can be measured by the increase in the number of rice panicles per unit area and the number of spikelets per panicle.…”