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Performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy

sand in semi-arid sub-tropical India

Sudhir Yadav a, M.S. Gill a, S.S. Kukal b,*a Department of Agronomy, Agrometeorology and Forestry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India

b Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India

Received 19 March 2007; received in revised form 27 September 2007; accepted 29 September 2007

Abstract

One of the resource conservation technologies for rice (Oryza sativa) is direct seeding technique, which may be more water

efficient and labour cost-effective apart from being conducive for mechanization. The crop establishment during the initial stages

may depend upon the method of direct seeding, cultivar and seed rate. A study was carried out during 2004–2005 to evaluate the

effect of different seeding techniques, cultivars and seed rates on the performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy sand

(coarse loamy, calcareous, mixed hyperthermic, Typic Ustipsamments) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. The

treatments in main plots included four seeding techniques (broadcast in puddled plots, direct drilling in puddled plots, direct drilling

in compacted plots and direct drilling under unpuddled and uncompacted conditions). The subplots treatments comprised of two

cultivars (Pusa Basmati-1 and Basmati-386) and three seed rates (at 30, 40 and 50 kg ha�1).

The moisture retention and bulk density at harvest were sufficiently lower in uncompacted/unpuddled plots than compacted or

puddled plots more so in 0–30 cm soil layer. The crop stand establishment was higher in direct-drilled compacted plots with

50 kg seed ha�1. It was higher in Pusa Basmati-1 than Basmati-386. The direct drilling after compaction produced 28% higher

biomass than uncompacted/unpuddled plots. Similar trend was observed in leaf area index and effective tillers. Effective tillers were

significantly higher with 30 kg seed ha�1and were higher in Pusa Basmati-1 than Basmati-386. The root mass density of basmati

rice in 0–15 cm soil layer at 45 days after sowing was 1549 g m�3 in compacted soils, 1258 g m�3 in broadcasting in puddled soil

and 994 g m�3 with direct drilling in puddled soil. The grain yield of basmati rice was 44% and 30% higher in direct-drilled

compacted and puddled plots, respectively, than uncompacted/unpuddled plots.

# 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Basmati rice; Compaction; Puddling; Stand establishment; Root mass density; Soil moisture retention

1. Introduction

The increasing scarcity of water threatens the

sustainability of food production from irrigated

agriculture worldwide (Gleick, 1993; Postel, 1997).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important target for

irrigation water use reductions, because of its relatively

large water requirements compared with other crops

(Li, 2001; Wang et al., 2002; Tuong and Bouman,

2003). The amount of water consumed to produce rice

being much higher than for other cereal crops (Bhuiyan,

1992), as the water use efficiency of rice is quite low.

Rice is generally grown under puddled conditions

mainly to reduce percolation losses and control weeds.

However, the puddling process besides consuming a

substantial amount of irrigation water, results in sub-

surface compaction (Kukal and Aggarwal, 2003a)

which hinders the growth and yield of the succeeding

wheat crop (Kukal and Aggarwal, 2003b). To avoid

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Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 161 2401960;

fax: +91 161 2400945.

E-mail address: sskukal@rediffmail.com (S.S. Kukal).

0167-1987/$ – see front matter # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.still.2007.09.019

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puddling/transplanting, various resource conservation

technologies for rice are being developed and used in

Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP). Direct seeding of rice

under unpuddled conditions is one such technique

which has been shown to be more water efficient (Mann

et al., 2004), apart from being labour and cost-effective

(Pandey and Velasco, 1999). Moreover, it is conducive

for mechanization (Khade et al., 1993). Studies in NW

India (Singh et al., 2005; Bhushan et al., 2007;

Choudhary et al., 2007) and Pakistan (Jehangir et al.,

2005) have shown that direct-seeded rice consumes less

irrigation water than puddled transplanted rice. These

findings are consistent with comparisons of puddled

transplanted rice and direct-seeded rice in the Musa

Irrigation Scheme in Malaysia (Cabangon et al., 2002).

Basmati rice is gaining importance due to its unique

eating and cooking qualities and has premium value in

national and international markets. It grows rapidly and

thus has substantial smothering effect on weed growth.

The early maturation of direct-seeded basmati rice not

only helps in the reduction of irrigation water use but

also provides a better option to be a best fit in different

cropping systems (Gill and Dhingra, 2002). In IGP, the

rice cultivation is increasingly being extended to the

coarse-textured soils leading to higher consumption of

irrigation water (Kukal and Sidhu, 2004). Puddling

these soils whilst helping decreasing the infiltration rate,

consumes substantial volumes of irrigation water during

land preparation (puddling). The water requirement for

land preparation is theoretically 150–200 mm, but can

be higher during prolonged puddling conditions

(Bhuiyan et al., 1995). To conserve water and avoid

subsurface compaction, surface compaction of these

soils has been shown to be efficient under unpuddled

conditions (Ghildyal, 1971) and increases the rice grain

yield (Bhadoria, 1986; Mathan and Natesan, 1990). The

cultural practices, viz. seed rate (Angiras and Sharma,

1998), duration of cultivar (Singh et al., 2000) may also

have a direct influence on the productivity of direct

seeded rice. These, however, need to be standardized

under different tillage practices.

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of

different tillage techniques, cultivars and seed rates for

direct-seeded basmati rice on soil water retention, root

density and crop yield parameters.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Study site

A field experiment was conducted during 2004 and

2005 on the Research Farm of Punjab Agricultural

University, Ludhiana, India. The experimental site is

situated at 308560 N and 758520E at 247 m above the

mean sea level. The site is characterized by sub-tropical

and semi-arid type climate. The annual rainfall during

2004 was 349 mm; 40.4% less than average (586 mm).

However, in 2005 the rainfall was similar to the average

rain. The experimental soil was loamy sand (Ustipsam-

ments), slightly alkaline in reaction and low in organic

carbon (0.23%). It was low in alkaline KMnO4-

extractable N, medium in 0.5N NaHCO3-extractable

P and medium in NH4OAc-extractable K. Other

physical properties of soil at time of sowing are shown

in Table 1.

2.2. Experimental background

The treatments comprised of four seeding techniques

as main plots. These were (i) broadcasting in puddled

plots, (ii) direct drilling in puddled plots, (iii) direct

drilling in compacted plots and (iv) direct drilling in

unpuddled and uncompacted plots. The subplot treat-

ments comprised of three seed rates (at 30, 40 and

50 kg ha�1) and two cultivars (Pusa Basmati-1 and

Basmati-386). The Pusa Basmati-1 is a dwarf, photo-

period insensitive cultivar with average yield of about

3.7 t ha�1 whereas Basmati-386 is photoperiod sensi-

tive tall cultivar, with an average yield of 2.2 t ha�1

(Anonymous, 2006). The treatments were laid in

factorial split plot design and were replicated four

times in plots of 18.7 m2 each.

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238230

Table 1

Physical characters of the soil

Depth (cm) Bulk density

(Mg m�3)

Field capacity

(cm3 cm�3)

Wilting point

(cm3 cm�3)

Sand (%) Silt (%) Clay (%) Texture

0–15 1.63 � 0.02 0.159 � 0.03 0.043 � 0.02 80.1 � 0.01 15.1 � 0.01 4.8 � 0.02 Loamy sand

15–30 1.67 � 0.01 0.167 � 0.01 0.044 � 0.02 78.4 � 0.04 16.4 � 0.02 5.2 � 0.02 Loamy sand

30–60 1.66 � 0.01 0.178 � 0.01 0.061 � 0.01

60–90 1.67 � 0.02 0.181 � 0.02 0.076 � 0.02

90–120 1.68 � 0.04 0.187 � 0.04 0.081 � 0.03

120–150 1.68 � 0.01 0.187 � 0.01 0.089 � 0.02

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The experimental field was dry-tilled once with disc

ploughs and twice with cultivator and then levelled with

a wooden plank. The plots to be puddled were

surrounded by bunds of 15 cm height and flooded with

5–7 cm of water. These were puddled with a power tiller

(VST Shakti 130-DI) twice. In main plot treatment (i)

the pre-germinated seeds of two cultivars were broad-

cast at three different rates as per the subplot treatments.

In the remaining main plot treatments the pre-

germinated seeds were direct-drilled at 15 cm row to

row distance using a locally fabricated hand plough.

The plots to be compacted were subject to compaction

with an iron roller three times so as to achieve a bulk

density of 1.66–1.68 Mg m�3 in 0–15 cm soil layer. The

crop was sown on 25 June 2004 and 10 July 2005.

Nitrogen was applied at 20 kg ha�1 in two splits after 2

and 6 weeks of sowing. The P (at 13 kg ha�1), K (at

25 kg ha�1) and zinc sulphate (at 62.5 kg ha�1) were

applied at the time of field preparation. The crop was

sprayed thrice with 1% ferrous sulphate solution (at

250 l ha�1) at weekly intervals after 4 weeks of sowing.

The plots were kept moist for the 15 days with light

irrigation at alternate day intervals and thereafter,

irrigation was applied 3 days after the ponded water

infiltrated in the plots. The irrigation was continued till

15 days before the harvesting of crop. The irrigations

were stopped during rains and further continued at 3-

day interval.

2.3. Observations

2.3.1. Physical properties of soil

The bulk density of soil was measured with the core

method (Blake, 1965) to a depth of 150 cm before the

application of treatments and at harvest. Four soil cores

from each plot were taken at 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–

90, 90–120 and 120–150 cm soil depth using cylindrical

iron rings of 5 cm height and 5 cm internal diameter. A

concentric collar of 5 cm internal diameter and 2 cm

height was placed above the ring to avoid compaction.

Soil then dried at 105 8C for 24 h to calculate dry bulk

density.

Soil moisture retention at 33 and 1500 kPa were

determined using Richard’s pressure plate apparatus

(Richard, 1949). The undisturbed soil cores of 2 cm

height were placed in retainer rubber rings on the

porous, saturated ceramic plate and were allowed to

stand overnight with an excess of water maintained in a

tray. The samples along with tray were subject to

pressures of 33 and 1500 kPa, respectively, till the

equilibrium was attained. The samples were then

immediately transferred to the moisture boxes and

the moisture content at field capacity and permanent

wilting point determined gravimetrically by drying the

samples to a constant temperature of 105 8C for 24 h.

2.3.2. Crop performance

2.3.2.1. Stand establishment. The emergence count

was recorded from each plot using 30 cm � 30 cm

quadrat in broadcasting plots. In line sowing methods,

the 50 cm row-length was used for this purpose. The

population was expressed as number of seedlings m�2.

2.3.2.2. Biomass accumulation. Biomass accumula-

tion by the crop was recorded periodically at 30-day

intervals after sowing. One-third of the plot was

earmarked for collecting the plant samples for biomass

from 30 cm � 30 cm area in broadcast plots and 50 cm

row length in line sown plots The samples were dried at

60 8C till a constant weight was achieved and biomass

accumulation was expressed in t ha�1.

2.3.2.3. Leaf area index. For determining the leaf area

index, plant samples were collected from each plot at

intervals of 30 days throughout the growing season of

the crop. The green leaves were separated from the

plants and characterized into three categories according

to their size. The area of 10 leaves (2 big, 4 medium, 4

small) has measured using leaf area meter (Model CI-

202). LAI was computed by using the area–weight

relationship (Watson, 1958).

2.3.2.4. Root density. The root-soil cores were col-

lected using an iron augar of 7 cm inner diameter

hammered to different soil depth increments from the

ground surface. Three samples were collected from

each site, with one sampled at the base of plant and two

other samples at 3.5 cm away from base of the plant.

These samples were taken up to a depth of 60 cm at a

depth increments of 0–15, 15–30 and 30–60 cm at 45

and 90 days after sowing. The roots were washed in

water by providing gentle flushing to the samples in the

sieves till all soil particles were washed out of the sieve.

The roots samples were transferred to Petri dishes and

cleaned for weed roots and other inert materials. The

roots were then over dried at 60 8C and weighed. The

ratio of dry mass of roots and the core volume was

expressed as root mass density (g m�3).

2.3.2.5. Yield g parameters and grain yield. The

number of tillers bearing panicles were counted in

30 cm � 30 cm quadrat in broadcast plots and 50 cm

row-length in line sown plots to assess the effective

tillers m�2 prior to harvest of crop. The grain yield was

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238 231

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recorded from 10.5 m2 area at final harvest and

expressed in t ha�1 at 14% grain moisture content.

2.3.2.6. Harvest index (HI). Harvest index expressed

as ratio of economical part (grain yield) and the total

biological yield (total biomass).

2.3.3. Statistical analysis

Statistical significance of the treatment effects on

different parameters was determined for the least

significant difference (LSD) at 5% level of significance

using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for a split plot

design (Cochran and Cox, 1957).

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Soil moisture retention

Soil moisture retention at field capacity and

permanent wilting point in different soil layers is

presented in Fig. 1. The moisture retention in

uncompacted/unpuddled plots was significantly

( p � 0.05) lower than the compacted or puddled plots

in 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers, both at field capacity

and permanent wilting point. However, in the lower

layers the differences among the treatments were not

significant. The effect of soil compaction in increasing

soil moisture was similar to that of puddling. During

compaction, water retention increases and residual

pores (�50 mm) increase at the expense of water

transmission pores (Agrawal, 1991). Soil compaction to

a bulk density of 1.75 Mg m�3 has been shown to

reduce the water requirement of the crop by 16%,

compared to soil puddling (Patel and Singh, 1979).

Since puddling of coarse-textured soils results in

subsurface (15–20 cm) compaction (Aggarwal et al.,

1995; Kukal and Aggarwal, 2003a), it affects the

N and water uptake by the upland crops (Kukal

and Aggarwal, 2003b). The direct seeding of basmati

rice in surface-compacted soils can mitigate this

effect of puddling. In addition, the soil compaction

decreases evaporation rates, particularly when soil

moisture content is below field capacity (El-Kommos,

1989).

The bulk density profiles recorded at the harvest of

the rice crop (Fig. 2) show that the bulk density of 0–

15 cm soil layer of puddled (1.66 Mg m�3) and

compacted (1.65 Mg m�3) plots was higher than

uncompacted/unpuddled plots (1.60 Mg m�3). How-

ever, the differences were non-significant. In lower soil

layers, the bulk density of different treatments was

similar. The higher bulk density in compacted plots

compared to uncompacted/unpuddled plots could have

increased the residual pores and ultimately the soil

water retention, similar to that in puddled soil.

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238232

Fig. 1. Soil moisture retention in relation to different seeding techniques of direct seeded basmati rice.

Fig. 2. Bulk density of the soil in relation to the different seeding

techniques of direct seeded rice at different depths.

Author's personal copy

3.2. Crop performance

3.2.1. Stand establishment

The emergence count was significantly different

among various methods of sowing (Fig. 3). It was higher

in plots seeded after compaction than broadcasting after

puddling, direct drilling after puddling or direct drilling

without compaction/puddling. The lower germination

in direct drilling without compaction/puddling could be

due to lower moisture availability in than compacted

plots where the water from lower layers could rise to the

surface layer due to better continuity of the capillaries.

The lower germination in puddled plots with direct

seeding might be due to deep placement of seeds

(increased incidence of seed rotting), falling of seeds in

depressions formed with laborers’ feet or at lower spots

where the uneven depth of water might have led to the

paucity of oxygen for the germination of the seeds

(Nayak and Garnayak, 1999).

The seed at 50 kg ha�1 produced significantly higher

emergence count than seed at 30 and 40 kg ha�1

(Fig. 3). It could be due to higher number of seeds m�2

area. Significantly higher emergence count was

observed in Pusa Basmati-1 than Basmati-386.

3.2.2. Biomass accumulation

The biomass accumulation at 30 days after sowing

(DAS) with direct drilling after compaction

(1.05 t ha�1) was significantly higher than all other

seeding techniques. It was lowest (0.61 t ha�1) in

uncompacted/unpuddled plots. However, at 60 and 90

DAS, the biomass accumulation was similar in direct

drilling after compaction, broadcasting and direct

drilling after puddling, but was significantly higher

than uncompacted/unpuddled plots. Similarly, at har-

vest, direct drilling after compaction produced

8.93 t ha�1 biomass which was 3.5, 5.4 and 27.8%

higher than broadcasting after puddling, direct drilling

after puddling, and direct drilling without compaction/

puddling, respectively. The results clearly advocate the

superiority of puddling or compaction over uncom-

pacted/unpuddled conditions.

The periodic biomass accumulation increased sig-

nificantly with increasing seed rate up to 50 kg ha�1 till

30 DAS and thereafter the effect of seed rate on biomass

accumulation was not significant. The higher biomass at

30 kg ha�1 may be due to higher number of tillers per

unit area and relatively lower leaf senescence (Murthy

and Murthy, 1984). The cultivars did not show any

significant difference in the biomass accumulation with

time except at 30 DAS when Pusa Basmati-1 gave

significantly higher biomass (0.92 t ha�1) than Bas-

mati-386 (0.75 t ha�1) (Table 2).

3.2.3. Leaf area index

The leaf area index (LAI) of basmati rice increased

till 90 DAS (Fig. 4) and decreased thereafter due to crop

senescence (Dalai, 1999; Molla, 1999). The LAI was

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238 233

Fig. 3. Stand establishment of the basmati rice as affected by different seeding techniques, seed rates and cultivars.

Author's personal copy

significantly lower in uncompacted/unpuddled plots at

all the growth stages. However, it was similar in puddled

and compacted plots. The puddling and compaction

result in higher soil water retention, thereby increasing

plant population and hence LAI of the crop (Dingkuhn

et al., 1991). LAI did not differ significantly with

respect to seed rate and cultivars.

3.2.4. Root mass density

The root mass density (RMD) in 0–15 cm soil layer at

45 DAS was significantly ( p � 0.05) higher in com-

pacted plots (1549 g m�3) and uncompacted/unpuddled

plots (1510 g m�3) than puddled plots with broadcasting

(1258 g m�3) and direct drilling (994 g m�3) (Fig. 5).

However, in 15–30 and 30–60 cm soil layers, the RMD of

basmati rice was similar in all the treatments was similar.

Similar trend in RMD in 0–15 cm soil layer was observed

at 90 DAS. However, in 15–30 cm soil layer, the RMD in

compacted soil was significantly higher than direct-

drilled puddled soil but at par with that in broadcasting

under puddled conditions. Better soil water retention in

compacted soil might be responsible for better root

growth than that in direct-drilling puddled plots. The

higher bulk density in direct-drilled puddled plots might

have decreased the RMD in 0–15 cm soil layer. Since the

direct drilling was done after 2–3 days of puddling, it

could have resulted in preferential flow of water through

the cracks out of the root zone. However, this

phenomenon was not reflected in the water retention at

field capacity and permanent wilting point. Thus detailed

studies on the soil water dynamics in direct-drilled rice

need to be carried out for better management of the crop.

The seed rate and cultivar did not affect the RMD of

basmati rice significantly.

3.2.5. Yield attributes and grain yield

The number of effective tillers m�2 accrued in direct

drilling after compaction (452) was significantly higher

than other seeding techniques (Fig. 6). The magnitude

of increase was 13.1% over direct drilling after

puddling, 20.8% over broadcasting after puddling

and 25.7% over direct drilling without compaction/

puddling. The highest number of effective tiller (376)

was achieved with 30 kg seed ha�1 which was at par with

40 kg, but was significantly higher than 50 kg seed ha�1.

It might be due to lower plant population, resulting in

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238234

Table 2

Effect of various seeding techniques, seed rates and cultivars on periodic biomass accumulation of basmati rice

Treatment Biomass accumulation (t ha�1)

30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS At harvest

Seedling technique

Broadcasting in puddle field 0.83 4.28 6.98 8.63

Drum seeding in puddle field 0.84 4.24 6.95 8.47

Line sowing after compaction 1.05 4.68 7.31 8.93

Line sowing without compaction/puddling under moist conditions 0.61 3.31 5.75 6.99

LSD ( p = 0.05) 0.11 0.59 NS 0.76

Seed rate (kg ha�1)

30 0.71 4.33 7.04 8.43

40 0.83 4.02 6.75 8.15

50 0.97 4.04 6.81 8.18

LSD ( p = 0.05) 0.11 NS NS NS

Cultivar

Pusa Basmati-1 0.92 4.35 6.60 8.25

Basmati-386 0.75 4.02 6.84 8.26

LSD ( p = 0.05) 0.09 NS NS NS

First and second order interactions NS NS NS NS

Fig. 4. Periodic leaf area index of basmati rice as affected by different

seeding techniques.

Author's personal copy

vigorous plant growth and causing a significant increase

in the number of panicles hill�1 (Baloch et al., 2002).

Pusa Basmati-1 (378) produced significantly higher

tillers m�2 than Basmati-386 (342). The findings are also

in close agreement with those recorded by Singh et al.

(2000).

The average grain yield of direct-seeded basmati rice

was higher in direct-drilled compacted (44%) and

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238 235

Fig. 5. Root mass density (g m�3) of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) at (a) 45 days after sowing and (b) 90 days after sowing.

Fig. 6. Effective tillers of the basmati rice in relation to different seeding techniques, seed rates and cultivars.

Author's personal copy

direct-drilled puddled plots (30%) than uncompacted/

unpuddled plots (Table 3). However, direct drilling with

compaction yielded significantly higher (10%) grains

than direct drilling or broadcasting with puddling. Better

crop establishment, LAI, effective tillers, better soil

water availability and RMD might have resulted in higher

grain yield of basmati rice in compacted than puddled

plots (Prasad et al., 1999; Jaiswal and Singh, 2001). Poor

crop establishment in uncompacted/unpuddled plots

could have reduced the grain yield despite of the similar

irrigation schedule. Thus compaction of the soil for

raising direct-seeded basmati rice has an edge over the

direct seeding under puddled conditions.

Among cultivars, Pusa Basmati-1 produced signifi-

cantly higher grain yield (2.24 t ha�1) compared to

Basmati-386 (2.10 t ha�1). It could be due to its photo-

insensitive nature which might have helped the crop to

compensate for the climatic imbalances (Singh et al.,

2000).

The average grain yield of basmati rice decreased

significantly with increase in seed rate from 30 to

40 kg ha�1. Angiras and Sharma (1998) observed that

the mutual competition among the plants at higher seed

rate increases spikelet sterility resulting in decreased

grain yield. The seeding technique and cultivars

interacted significantly to affect the rice grain yield.

The rice grain yield of Pusa Basmati-1 increased by

39.4% with direct drilling after compaction from that in

uncompacted/unpuddled soil in comparison to 49.6% in

Basmati-386. Similarly, Basmati-386 responded more

S. Yadav et al. / Soil & Tillage Research 97 (2007) 229–238236

Table 3

Grain yield (t ha�1) of direct seeded basmati rice as affected by seeding techniques, cultivars and seed rate (2004–2005)

Treatments Seed rates (kg ha�1)

Pusa Basmati-1 Basmati-386

30 40 50 Average 30 40 50 Average

Broadcasting after puddling (S1) 2.44 2.21 2.16 2.27 bc 2.30 2.08 2.23 2.20 c

Direct drilling after puddling (S2) 2.29 2.20 2.25 2.25 bc 2.27 2.31 2.13 2.24 bc

Direct drilling after compaction (S3) 2.73 2.47 2.53 2.58 a 2.52 2.35 2.21 2.36 b

Direct drilling without compaction/puddling (S4) 1.89 1.90 1.76 1.85 d 1.72 1.57 1.46 1.58 e

Averages

Seeding techniques

S1 2.24 b

S2 2.24 b

S3 2.47 a

S4 1.72 c

Seed rate (kg ha�1)

30 2.27

40 2.14

50 2.10

Cultivar

Pusa Basmati-1 2.24 a

Basmati-386 2.10 b

Value with different letter did not differ significantly at p � 0.05 level of significance.

Table 4

Harvest index of direct seeded basmati rice as affected by seeding techniques, cultivars and seed rate (2004–2005)

Treatments Seed rates (kg ha�1) Overall

averagePusa Basmati-1 Basmati-386

30 40 50 Average 30 40 50 Average

Broadcasting after puddling 0.38 0.35 0.32 0.35 abc 0.34 0.33 0.34 0.34 b 0.34 b

Direct drilling after puddling 0.37 0.38 0.36 0.37 a 0.33 0.32 0.32 0.32 cd 0.35 ab

Direct drilling after compaction 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.37 a 0.39 0.35 0.35 0.36 ab 0.37 a

Direct drilling without compaction/puddling 0.32 0.31 0.32 0.32 cd 0.32 0.31 0.31 0.31 d 0.31 c

Value with different letter did not differ significantly at p � 0.05 level of significance.

Author's personal copy

(42%) to puddling than Pusa Basmati-1 (22%). This

indicates that Basmati-386 has higher potential for

direct seeding techniques.

3.2.6. Harvest index

The harvest index (HI) in direct drilling after

compaction (0.37) was significantly higher than all

other seeding techniques except in direct drilling after

puddling (0.35) (Table 4). However, the seed rate and

cultivars did not influence the harvest index of the crop.

The interactive effects of seeding techniques and

cultivars on HI indicate that Basmati-386 responded

more to compaction whereas Pusa Basmati-1 was

equally effective under puddled and compacted condi-

tions.

4. Conclusion

Drilling of basmati rice after compaction seems to be

a better seeding technique under direct-seeded condi-

tion in coarse textured soils. A seed rate of 30 kg ha�1 is

optimum for direct seeding of basmati rice. Puas

Basmati-1 and Basmati-386 performed equally well

under direct-seeded condition. The soil water retentions

at field capacity and permanent wilting point increased

with compaction of loamy sand soil. However, the

detailed water balance studies need to be carried out for

direct-seeded basmati rice so as to increase the

irrigation water use efficiency.

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