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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 3

Publication Date: June 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/aivp.123.17111.

Kannan, S. V., Ravikumar, V., & Sangeetha, J. V. V. (2024). Methods of Establishment and Crop Geometry on Rice (Oryza Sativa)

Productivity Under Drip Irrigation. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(3). 389-397.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Methods of Establishment and Crop Geometry on Rice (Oryza

Sativa) Productivity Under Drip Irrigation

S. Vallal Kannan

ORCID:0000-0003-3319-9485

Coastal Saline Research Centre,

Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu

V. Ravikumar

Department of soil and water conservation,

Agricultural Engineering College and Research

Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Sangeetha Jebalin V V

Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College

and Research Institute, Madurai 625104

ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken between 2020 and 2022 three years during the rabi

season at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute in Kumulur with

an aim to determining the optimal method of establishment, suitable paddy

variety, and crop geometry with spacing for maximizing rice productivity in the

standardized drip irrigation system. Experiment utilized a strip plot design, with

two main establishment methods (direct seeding on raised beds and transplanting

on flatbeds), three medium varieties (ADT 54, 'TKM 13', and 'CR 1009 sub-1') as

subplot treatments, and three different spacing configurations and crop geometry

at 20 x 10 cm (rectangle) conventional recommended spacing, 20 x 20 cm

(square), and 25 x 25 cm (square) as sub-sub plot treatments. Plant height, total

tillers count, productive tillers count, filled grains per panicle; test weight, grain

yield, and straw yield were measured. Furthermore, an economic assessment

encompassing cultivation expenses, gross income, net income, and Benefit-Cost

Ratio (BCR) was carried out. Water-use efficiency was calculated by dividing the

dry weight of grain yield (in kg/ha) by the total irrigation and rainfall (in ha.

mm).The findings indicated that direct seeding emerged as the superior method

for establishing drip-irrigated rice cultivation. The most suitable combination

treatment for achieving the growth and yield factors, highest grain yield (6080

kg/ha), net income (Rs. 64059/ha), benefit-cost ratio of 2.37, and enhanced water

use efficiency (6.61 kg. ha-mm-1) involved direct-seeded rice on raised beds using

a medium-duration variety with a spacing of 20x20cm with other recommended

agronomic practices. This approach aims to improve both crop and water

efficiency amid constraints in water availability.

Keywords: Drip irrigation, crop geometry, methods of establishment, WUE, and Water

productivity.

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391

Kannan, S. V., Ravikumar, V., & Sangeetha, J. V. V. (2024). Methods of Establishment and Crop Geometry on Rice (Oryza Sativa) Productivity Under

Drip Irrigation. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(3). 389-397.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.123.17111

germinated seeds were planted in mat nurseries and managed using the System of Rice

Intensification (SRI) nursery techniques. Seedlings, aged 18 days, were transplanted, and gap

filling was conducted on the 8th day after transplantation (DAT), maintaining a full

establishment rate.

In both scenarios, drip irrigation lines were laid out at intervals of 90cm with emitters spaced

50cm apart (delivering 4 liters per hour) positioned at the center of the beds. Irrigation was

applied at 100% of potential evapotranspiration (PE) every other day, and fertigation was

implemented at 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) at a rate of 150:60:60 NPK

Kg/ha. The basal phosphorus dose was administered using superphosphate at a rate of

375kg/ha, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied via urea (326 kg) and Muriate of

Potash (100kg), applied through drip irrigation once every six days.

Varietal suitability and crop geometry:

The experiment was executed in the field during the Rabi season by employing a strip plot

design. The main plot treatments focused on two establishment methods, the sub-plot

treatments involved three varieties, and the sub-sub-plot treatments considered different

geometries (spacing). The specifics of the treatments are outlined below. Main plot treatment

(Method of establishment): M1: Direct seeding on a raised bed(dibbling), M2: Transplanting on

a flatbed. Subplot treatment (Varieties): V1: ADT 54, V2: TKM 13, V3: CR 1009 sub-1. Sub-sub- plot treatment (Spacing): S1: 20 x 10 cm (Rectangular) (50 hills/m2) S2: 20 x 20 cm (Square)

(25 hills/m2) S3: 25 x 25 cm (Square) (16 hills/m2).

Transplanting seedling was raised in the dapog method on the same day of seeding on a

raised bed and transplanted 14 days old seedlings maintained the same age in all the

conditions.

Irrigation, based on meteorological data from AEC&RI, Kumulur, was applied at 100%

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) on alternate days through the drip method of irrigation.

Water use efficiency and water productivity were subsequently computed. The total water

applied for directly seeded rice was 920 mm, and for transplanted rice, it was 960 mm

(including 40 mm for puddling). The calibrated 920mm quantity of water was applied

regardless of variety, and spacing, through a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation scheduling

was determined according to daily potential evapotranspiration (PE) values at different crop

growth stages.

Paddy having crop factors at the initial (1.15) stage, crop development stage (1.23),

reproductive stage (1.14), and maturity stages (1.02), with a consistent pan factor of 0.7 was

applied.

Plant height and the total tillers (numbers), productivity tillers (numbers), filled grains

(numbers/panicle), test weight, grain, and straw yield, were observed. Additionally, an

economic analysis involving the cost of cultivation, gross income, net income, and BCR was

conducted. Water-use efficiency was determined by calculating the dry weight of grain yield

(kg/ha) and dividing it by the sum of irrigation and rainfall (ha. mm). The pooled data were

analyzed using AGRES software, a mean comparison was carried out based on critical