A STUDY OF TWELVE SPRING RICE GENOTYPES WITH FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN KAILARI VILLAGE, KAILALI, NEPAL

Aim: Present study endeavors to explore the genetic variability for various agro-morphological and quality traits as well as to delineate the association between grain yield and its yield attributing components
 Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design
 Place and Duration of Study: Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, She-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu during kharif 2020.
 Methodology: A experiment was carried out to determine the association between grain yield and yield attributing components among advanced breeding lines of rice to establish a well grounded selection criteria for developing rice varieties with improved grain yield. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was found to be relatively greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most of traits indicating role of environment in the phenotypic expression of traits. Characters viz., plant height, total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, panicle length and grain yield per plant exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance indicating their efficient inheritance from preceding generations.
 Results: Association studies indicated that characters viz., Plant height, total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, panicle length, 1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant had a significant positive relationship with grain yield per plot indicating their role in breeding rice varieties for higher grain yield.
 Conclusion: Cause and effect relationship revealed that traits viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, total number of tillers per plant, days to maturity, panicle length and grain yield per plant can be exploited for indirect selection for improving grain yield.

In order to investigate the effects of plant density and the role silicon plays in determining the agronomic features of rice transplanted as single plants and planted in hills, an experiment in the split factorial design in the format of randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in Sari in 2007. The main factor consisted of two levels of silica (applying and not applying it), and the subordinate factor included two modes of planting rice (in hills and as individual plants) and three plant densities (40, 80, and 120 plants/m2). Results obtained showed that applying silica improved some agronomic features. For example, the total number of tillers per plant increased by 11.6%, the number of effective tillers per plant by 14.2%, and the seed yield by 18.2%; and, therefore, the harvest index, compared to the control (in which silica was not applied), increased by 4.4%; but the percentage of filled spikelets decreased by 13.9% (which was a significant reduction). Increasing plant density from 40 to 120 plants per m2 caused deterioration in some agronomic features. For example, plant height, the total number of tillers, the number of effective tillers per plant, and the total number of spikelets per panicle decreased by 5.04, 51.94, 55.1, and 20.44%, respectively. The mode of planting had a significant effect only on the total number of effective tillers per plant, and on the total number of spikelets per panicle, at the one percent probability level; and it also significantly influenced the percentage of filled spikelets at the five percent probability level. Under the interactive effects of the three variables, the maximum seed yield was obtained in the treatment of applying silica and planting density of 80 plants per m2 in transplanting rice as single plants and in hill planting (424.1 and 414.6 g/m-2, respectively).

The study was conducted during 2013/14 main cropping season in Ebinat district with the aim of studying the effects of seeding rates and row sowing methods on growth, yield and yield components of tef. Planting material of improved tef variety ‘Quencho’ (DZ-01-387) was used as a test crop for the experiments. Two factors of 3 seeding rates of (5, 7.5 & 10 kg/ha) and 3 inter-row spacing of (15cm, 20cm & 25cm) were combined to form 9 treatment. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Days to 50% emergence, days to 50% heading, days to 90% physiological maturity, plant population. Total tiller number per plant, effective tiller, plant height, panicle length, number of spikelet’s per panicle, biomass and straw yield, thousand seed weight, grain yield and harvest index were the important attributes used for data collection. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for all parameters were computed with SAS 9.0 software and mean separation was done using least significance difference (LSD). The results of ANOVA analyses showed that sowing method of days to 50% emergence, days to 50%heading, days to 90% physiological maturity, total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers, thousand seed weight and number of spikelet’s per panicle were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the main effects of seeding rates and inter-row spacing, while plant population, plant height and grain yield were highly significantly (P<0.01) affected by the main effects of the seeding rates and inter-row spacing. Biomass and straw yields as well as harvest index were not significantly affected by seeding rates and inter-row spacing. Furthermore, the interaction effect plant population and grain yields were highly significantly (P<0.01), affected by seeding rates and inter-row spacing. While plant height, biomass yield and thousand seed weight were significant (P<0.05) influenced. In general, the present study investigated under sowing methods of grain yield was gained 25.75% over all the treatments. Sowing method of seeding rate of 5 kg/ha and 25cm of row spacing were found to be the best resourcefully advantageous over the rest treatments.

A field experiment was carried out on spring rice in the rabi season of 2022 from February 3 to July 4 with an aim to identify the most suitable spring rice cultivar in Kanchanpur, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and eight treatments. The treatments were eight spring rice genotypes: one released (Chaite-5), one local genotype (ChaineeAndi), and six pipeline varieties (IR17A2946, IR17A2796, IR17A2949, IR13F402, IR16A3838, and IR18A2066). A total of 24 experimental plots, each of 6m2 (3*2m), were set to the experimental design. The treatments were randomly assigned to the replications. Data were collected for various morphological characters such as plant height (cm), number of tillers (/plant), effective tillers (/m2), panicle length (cm), number of grains per panicle, sterility (%), thousand-grain weight (gm), grain yield (kg), straw yield (kg), biological yield (kg), and harvest index. Results revealed significance for all parameters except for the effective number of tillers per plant. ChaineeAndi took the least days to mature and had the highest effective tiller number per plant. Genotype IR17A2066 took the most days to flower and mature, and had greater plant height, thousand-grain weight, but low grain yield. Grains per panicle were higher in IR13F402 but lowest panicle length. Chaite-5 had the highest sterility percentage. Highest grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index was observed in genotypes IR16A3838, IR17A2946, Chaite-5, and IR17A2949. IR16A3838 performed superior than other genotypes in environmental conditions of Kanchanpur, Nepal.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency significantly affects the yield and quality of crops across vast areas of cultivable land globally, given the essential role of micronutrients in plant metabolic processes. A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, from November 2019 to March 2020 to evaluate the effects of zinc and its application methods on the yield components of different wheat varieties. The experiment included three wheat varieties: BARI Gom-30, BARI Gom-31, and BARI Gom-32. It also examined six levels of Zn: 0 kg ha-1, seed soaking (SS) with 0.57% ZnSo4.7H2O (aq), SS with 1% ZnSo4.7H2O (aq), soil application (SA) of 4 kg ha-1 Zn, SA of 8 kg ha-1 Zn, and foliar spray (FS) of 0.5% ZnSo4 at 25 and 50 days after sowing. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The highest plant height (PH) (99.66 cm), the number of total tillers (NTT) plant-1 (4.86), spike length (SL) (10.41 cm), the number of effective tillers (NET) plant-1 (4.00), the number of grains spike-1 (NGS) (43.53), 1000-grain weight (TGW) (51.47 g), grain yield (GY) (4.12 t ha-1), straw yield (SY) (5.27 t ha-1), biological yield (BY) (9.39 t ha-1), and harvest index (HI) (43.93%) were achieved in BARI Gom-32 with the application of 8 kg Zn ha-1. The findings indicate that the wheat variety BARI Gom-32 attained its maximum yield with the application of 8 kg Zn ha-1. However, further experiments in different locations are necessary before making final recommendations.

Submergence is the third most important abiotic stress hugely affecting yield and productivity in rice. There are many wild varieties and landraces available which are tolerant to submergence stress. These genotypes can be utilized as donors in different breeding programs. The population derived from such germplasms are subjected to genetic evaluation for yield and yield related attributes for development of lines that are high yielding as well as tolerant to submergence. The present investigation was executed in 120 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RIL) population (F10) derived from Swarna-Sub1 x AC 20431B along with four land races and Swarna-Sub1 to elucidate the association existing between yield and yield attributing characters. Apart from this, Correlation and path analysis was also employed to study direct and indirect effect on grain yield. Observations for agro-morphological traits such as days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, total number of tillers, number of effective tillers per plant, number of filled grains and Spikelet fertility, test weight, grain yield per plant, biomass per plant and harvest index were recorded and analyzed for various variability parameters. Correlation and path coefficient analysis were also carried out. High heritability and genetic advance values were observed for days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, total number of tillers per plant, effective tillers per plant, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, test weight, grain yield and biomass per plant. Among all the characters; filled grains per panicle, biomass and harvest index per plant showed significant correlation with grain yield. Effective number of tillers per plant has the highest positive direct effect on grain yield.

Aims/ objectives: This study aims to improve stable and sustainable rice varieties adaptable to changing climatic conditions. It involves assessing genetic variability and Genotype X Environment interaction (G x E) among 186 diverse rice genotypes. The goal is to select genotypes with high breeding value, contributing to the development of rice varieties well-suited to varying climatic conditions. Study Design: The study employed an augmented design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Swarna, Madhuraj-55, Safri-17, Improved Samba Mahsuri, Thavalkannan, and IR64 checks were replicated across environments. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in College of Agriculture, Raipur, IGKV over two years (wet season-2020 and 2021). Methodology: Analysis of genetic variability and G X E interaction among 186 rice genotypes. Execution of the experiment in an augmented design with a randomized complete block design. Replication of standard rice checks across different environments. Assessment of yield-attributing traits such as plant height, number of effective tillers, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, biological yield per plot, and grain yield. Evaluation of stability was done using univariate (Shukla stability variance, Wricke’s ecovalence, Kang stability statistic) and multivariate (AMMI yield stability index and GGE biplot) stability parameters. Selection of stable genotypes with high yield based on stability analyses. Results: Significant phenotypic variation was observed in yield-attributing traits across seasons. Genetic variability and G x E interaction effect demonstrated by variable genotype performance across environments. Univariate and multivariate stability parameters (S2i, W2i, KSi, AMMI stability value, GGE biplot) were used for stability analyses. Identification of stable genotypes with high yield across environments, including IR13f167, ARC13156, IR93354, F50, Ngalongyi, Giza 178, Arc 10159, Sadajira 19-317, Arith, IR 57920-Ac 25-2-B, Pesagro 102, Mekenzie small, Nasaenge, Kula Karuppan, Vary Gony, MR 69, Kanu Dam, IRRI 123, Sativa IRGC17083-1, Kalia, and Swarna. Conclusion: The study concludes that stability in genotype performance across diverse environments is crucial for the development of sustainable rice varieties. Genotypes with high stability and yield, as identified through stability analyses, hold potential breeding value for developing rice varieties adaptive to climate change. The stable genotypes listed, including IR13f167, ARC13156, IR93354, and others, are recommended for further breeding and development efforts to enhance rice productivity and adaptability.

Weeds are the major burden for rice-growing farmers in the case of direct-seeded rice due to the preemptive competition of weed in the species early seedling stage. A field experiment was carried out during the spring season in 2021 to evaluate the effect of different weed management practices and row spacing on dry directed-seeded spring rice under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP) at Rice Super Zone, Kanchanpur, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with twelve treatments and three replications. The highest number of effective tillers per m2 was obtained in weed-free plots (531.67), which is statistically similar to Pretilachlor fb 1HW (505.42). Row spacing of 10 cm showed a significantly higher number of effective tillers per square meter (521.94). A higher grain yield was observed in weed-free plots (6397.87 kg.ha-1), which is followed by Pretilachlor fb 1HW, which is statistically similar to other management practices except for weed check. All the management practices were found effective in reducing weed parameters such as weed density, weed dry weight, and weed index as compared to weed checks. A positive relation was recorded between plant height at 90 DAS and grain yield, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield, and a negative relation was recorded between weed density, weed dry biomass, and grain yield. It is recommended to apply Pretilachlor fb 1HW with 10 cm row spacing for effective weed control and to increase the yield of dry direct-seeded rice.

The puddling operation and multiple tillage operations done in traditional rice-wheat system have negative impact on soil resulting into low productivity of rice - wheat system. A field experiment was conducted to find the alternate practices for enhancing the productivity of rice-wheat system at National Wheat Research Program, Bhairahawa during 2018/19. Three crop establishment methods: surface seeded wheat (SSW) followed by (fb) unpuddled transplanted rice (U-TPR), zero tilled wheat (ZTW) fb zero tilled direct seeded rice (ZT-DSR) and conventionally tilled wheat (CTW) fb puddled transplanted rice (PTR) were tested in two levels of residue management: residue removed (R0) and residue retention (R50). Three levels of nutrient management: recommended dose of NPK (F100), 25% higher dose of NPK (F125) and farmer’s practice (FP) were assigned in wheat. Strip-split plot design with 3 replications was used in wheat while strip-plot design with 9 replications was used in rice. Crop establishment methods (CSM) were assigned in vertical strips; residue management in horizontal blocks and nutrient management were assigned in subplots. The number of tillers at maximum tillering stage, maximum leaf area index, effective tiller per square meter and number of grains per spike of wheat were significantly affected by CSM, where ZTW had shown better results (413.7 tillers, 2.12 LAI, 224.1 effective tiller per square meter and 34.27 grains per spike) than SSW and CTW but the CSM had no significant effect on grain yield of both rice and wheat crop. R0 had produced significantly higher straw yield than R50 of both rice and wheat, whereas, R50 had produced significantly higher harvest index than R0 in rice. The application of 25% more nutrients than the recommended dose resulted in the significantly better growth, yield attributes, and yield of wheat. The ZTW fb ZT-DSR had produced significantly higher system yield than SSW fb U-TPR where, CTW fb PTR was statistically at par with both systems. The recommended dose of nutrients (F100) and 25% higher than F100 (F125) had produced significantly higher system yield than farmer’s practice (FP) dose. Research results revealed that ZTW fb ZT-DSR system can be suggested instead of traditional CTW fb PTR system without significant yield differences.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop of cool climates, and plays a key role in the food and nutritional security of India. The objective of this study was to establish the inter-relationship and direct and indirect effect of various wheat components on yield. Thirty-seven wheat genotypes and three check varieties were studied for correlation and path coefficient analysis of some quantitative traits in wheat at Kisan (P.G), College, Simbhaoli in India. Generally, the estimates of genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than thecorresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients for all the character combinations. Seed yield was significantly and positively associated with number of spikelets plant-1, followed by number of effective tillers and 100-seed weight at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Seed yield showed a significant negative association with number of seeds spikelet-1 at genotypic level. Among the significant inter-relationships, the association of days to 75% spike emergence with days to maturity and 100-seed weight were significant and positive, but were negative and significantly associated with number of seeds spikelet-1 and number of grains spike-1. Similarly, the associations of spike length with number of seeds spikelet-1, and number of spikelets plant-1 and number of effective tillers were negative and significant. The association of number of spikelets plant-1 with number ofeffective tillers was also positive and highly significant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the magnitude of positive direct effect on seed yield was highest through number of spikelets plant-1, followed by number of grains spike-1 and 100-seed weight; whereas protein content followed by number of seeds spikelet-1 and numberof effective tillers exhibited high, but negative direct effect on seed yield plant-1.

Spring rice plays important role in ensuring food self-sufficiency by complementing the production of main season rice in Nepal. To assess the optimal level of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in spring rice, a field experiment was conducted in Kanchanpur district, during Feb- June 2023. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments viz., (T1), 120:40:40 NPK kg/ha, (T2), 180:40:40 NPK kg/ha, (T3), 60:40:40 NPK kg/ha, (T4), 120:60:40 NPK kg/ha, (T5), 120:20:40 NPK kg/ha, (T6), 120:40:60 NPK kg/ha and (T7), 120:40:20 NPK kg/ha. Hardinath-1 variety of rice was transplanted at spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm in all the plots. Data for growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield were collected and analyzed. Analysis of variance for all the parameters was done and treatments were compared at 5% level of significance. The statistical analysis revealed that the treatment T2, 180:40:40 NPK kg/ha was statistically superior in terms of yielding plant height, effective tillers, panicle length, grain yield and straw yield (P&lt; 0.05). An increase of 20.52%, 30.19% and 50.68% was observed in number of effective tillers, grain yield and straw yield respectively in T2 over the recommended dose of government i.e. T1 (120:40:40 NPK kg/ha). Similarly, T2; 180:40:40 NPK kg/ha, where nitrogen level was increased by 50 % on government recommendation, provided highest gross return, net return and the benefit cost ratio of 2.35. Therefore, the fertilizer dose 180:40:40 NPK kg/ha is suggested for better productivity of spring rice in Kanchanpur, Nepal.

A field experiment was conducted in three factorial strip-split-plot design to evaluate the effect of two establishment methods (EM) [transplanted in puddled soil (PuTPR) and direct seeded in zero tillage (ZT-DSR)], two residue levels [residue kept at 3 t ha-1 (RK) and residue removed (RR)] with two nitrogen doses [recommended dose (100 kg N ha-1) (RD) and farmers' dose (50 kg N ha-1) (FD)] with six replications on rice variety “Ramdhan” during the year 2016. PuTPR, RK, and RD of nitrogen had taller plant height in almost all the days of observation. Similarly, the number of tillers per square meter and leaf area index was significantly higher in ZT-DSR and RD of nitrogen in all the days of observation. Number of effective tillers (ET) and sterility percentage were significantly higher in ZT-DSR but thousand grain weight (TGW), grain per panicle and panicle weight were significantly higher in Pu-TPR. Residue incorporation produced more number of ET. ET, TGW, panicle length and weight were significantly higher in RD. Days to heading and physiological maturity was significantly lower in PuTPR than ZT-DSR. Grain yield was significantly higher in residue kept treatment and recommended nitrogen dose. Key words: Conservation agriculture, direct seeded rice, leaf area, nitrogen, sterility, tiller.

A field experiment was conducted at Bilpar village of Sunamganj district in Bangladesh during November 2016 to May 2017 to find out the effects of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertilizer on the growth and yield of boro rice in haor areas. Two factors viz. varieties (BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan58) and six TSP fertilizer levels [F1- 85 kg TSP ha-1 (Farmers’ practice), F2- 142 kg TSP ha-1, F3- 127 kg TSP ha-1, F4- 112 kg TSP ha-1 (BARC recommended dose), F5- 97 kg TSP ha-1, F6- 82 kg TSP ha-1] were included in the experiment. The experiment was conducted in the farmers’ field and laid out in a RCBD with three replications. Data were taken on plant height and tillers hill-1 at 15 days intervals. The yield and yield contributing parameters were also taken at harvest. Plant height, number of total tillers, effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, sterile spikelets, 1000 grain weight, grain and straw yield varied significantly due to variety. BRRI dhan58 produced higher number of effective tillers (10.60) and grains panicle-1 (136.9) over BRRI dhan29. BRRI dhan58 produced higher grain yield (8.92 t ha-1) compared to BRRI dhan29 (7.27 t ha-1). All the studied parameters differed significantly with the application of TSP fertilizer except non-effective tillers hill-1. Application of 112 kg TSP ha-1 produced the highest number of effective tillers hill-1 (12.00) and the lowest in farmers practice (7.20). Fertilizer Recommendation Guide based TSP fertilizer (112 kg ha-1) produced the highest grain yield (8.80 t ha-1) of boro rice and the lowest grain yield (7.40 t ha-1) in farmers’ practice. Results of the study elucidated that TSP application at 112 kg ha-1 was effective to improve the rice productivity.

In Kharif I season direct seeded local Aus rice cultivation is a common practice in the coastal non saline area of Bangladesh. The crop during this period is vulnerable to various abiotic stresses like tidal flood which goes for several days making uncertain germination and poor establishment of the crop. An experiment was carried out in pots to evaluate the effect of artificial flooding on germinability and yield contributing characters of thirty aus rice genotypes. The experiment was conducted in the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali during the period from April-July 2016. Two treatments viz. flooding and non-flooding were imposed on each variety. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with two replications. The result of the experiment showed that varieties under non-flooding condition performed better over flooded condition. Germination was reduced by 31.58% in flooding situation. However, the cultivar Abdul Hai gave maximum germination (84.00%) under flooding condition. Flooding also reduced plant height, total number of tillers per hill, number of effective tillers, panicle length, number of filled grains panicle-1, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index by 1.96%, 23.07%, 28.34%, 4.13%, 8.41%, 4.50%, 11.86%, 7.48% and 3.48%, respectively. Flooding interaction with cultivars revealed that highest effective tillers per hill (39.50), grains panicle-1 (144.25), and 1000 grain weight (40.38 g), grain yield (76.17 g plant-1), straw yield (116.53 g plant-1) and harvest index (39.53%) were recorded in Abdul Hai. Correlations among characters under flooded condition showed that grains panicle-1, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were significantly and positively correlated with germination percentage. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that five cultivars viz. BR2, Kali Haitta, Sada Jamai Babu, Abdul Hai and Halai had maximum mean germination percentage (72.20%) and mean grain yield (69.84 g plant-1). These results suggests that variety Abdul Hai is more tolerant to submergence than other varieties.

A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2016, to evaluate the effect of different fertilizer treatments on growth and productivity of rice grown under conventional system in Kavre district at farmers’ field. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) involving seven different fertilizers management practices viz. Nutrient Expert Recommended Chemical Fertilizer (NPK), FYM (Farm Yard Manure), TP (Titepati), SOM (Shakti Organic Manure), GM (Goat Manure), UD (Urine Drenching) and FFP (Farmer Fertilizer Practice) with four replications. The results revealed significant difference in the terms of plant height, effective tiller m -2 , filled grains panicle -1 , grain and straw yields and sterility percentage. The highest rice grain yield (4.568 ton ha -1 ), straw yield (11.28 ton ha -1 ),effective tiller m -2 (369.1), filled grains panicle -1 (71.25) and lowest sterility% (20.45%)were obtained from NE recommended chemical fertilizer followed by TP, SOM, FYM, FFP, UD and the lowest grain yield (2.35 ton ha -1 ), straw yield(5.05 ton ha -1 ), effective tiller m -2 (215.0) ,filled grains panicle -1 (47.75) and higher sterility% was obtained from goat manure and concluded that NE-rice recommendation is the best followed by green manuring of Titepati in conventional rice production of Mid-hill agro-eco-zone of central Nepal. Keywords: Conventional system of rice, Growth, Productivity, Nutrient Expert Fertilizer Recommendation, Yield Cite this Article M. Subedi, S. Kandel, A. Shrestha et al. Assessing the Growth and Productivity of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Different Fertilizer Management Practices Grown under Conventional System in Kavre, Midhill of Nepal . Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology . 2018; 7(2): 13–16p