Stand establishment techniques of rice in conjunction with nutrient sources for soil health and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 2010–12 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, to study the effect of varying nutrient sources and methods of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation on the growth, yield attributes, productivity, economics of rice and soil fertility and its carry-over effect on wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.]. The treatment comprised 3 rice-establishment methods, viz. conventional transplanting (CT), system of rice intensification (SRI) and direct-seeded aerobic rice (DSR) in main-plots, and 4 nutrient sources, viz. N₂₅₍FYM₎+N₉₅₍ᵤᵣₑₐ₎N₅₀₍FYM₎+N₇₀₍ᵤᵣₑₐ₎N₇₅₍FYM₎+N₄₅₍ᵤᵣₑₐ₎ and N₁₂₀₍ᵤᵣₑₐ₎, in sub-plots, with 4 replications. Significantly higher number of panicles/m², leaf-area index (LAI), chlorophyll content of leaf, root dry weight and panicle weight of rice were obtained with system of rice intensification (SRI) compared to conventional transplanting and aerobic methods of cultivation. This method also recorded significantly higher grain yield (5.49 t/ha, pooled over 2 years), being 11% higher than conventional transplanting. The lowest grain yield (4.63 t/ha, pooled over 2 years) was recorded under directseeded aerobic rice, being 7% lower than conventional transplanting. System of rice intensification, among 3 rice establishment methods was more advantageous in terms of net return (23%) and grain yield (11%) than conventional transplanting. The total productivity (pooled over 2 years) was also higher (9.44t/ha,) under system of rice intensification (SRI) treatment. Among the nutrient sources, N₇₅ ₍FYM₎ + N₄₅ ₍ᵤᵣₑₐ₎ produced higher number of panicles/m², leaf-area index (LAI), chlorophyll content of leaf, root dry weight, root volume, panicle weight and pooled (over 2 years) grain yield of rice (5.17 t/ha) and wheat (3.77 t/ha). The higher net monetary returns (41,450/ha average of 2 years) as well as benefit: cost ratio (1.59; average of 2 years) of the system was also observed under this treatment. N₇₅ (FYM) + N₄₅ (urea) kg/ha was found best in improving the yield and yield attributes of wheat after rice.