Effect of dates and methods of rice (Oryza sativa) transplantation on growth and yield, nutrient uptake and economics of ricelentil (Lens culinaris) system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Shillongani, Nagaon, Assam dur- ing rainy (kharif)winter (rabi) seasons of 201415 and 201516 to study the effect of dates of transplanting under different methods of cultivation on productivity of winter rice (Oryza sativa L.) and their residual effect on lentil (Lens cultivaris Medikus) on ricelentil relay system. Rice transplanted on 20 June recorded significantly higher yield attributes and grain yield as compared to the later dates of transplanting. Transplanting on 20 June resulted in higher values in respect of yield attributes, yield of relayed lentil, rice equivalent yield (REY) of ricelentil relay system. NPK uptake by rice and lentil as well as soil fungal and bacterial population after harvest of rice and lentil were also higher when transplanted on 20 June. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) recorded significantly higher values of yield attributes and grain yield of rice as compared to conventional method. In case of relayed lentil, yield attributes, seed yield and REY were found higher under SRI method of rice cultivation. Under SRI method, higher uptake of NPK by rice and lentil and higher soil fungal and bacterial populations after harvest of rice and lentil were observed as compared to conventional method. However, conventional method of rice cultivation re- corded significantly higher values of soil available N, P O and K O content at the end of 2 year-crop cycle over 2 5 2 that of SRI.