Effect of sowing techniques and tillage practices on paddy yield of direct seeded rice in salt affected soils

Abstract

In the scenario of labor and water shortage, direct sowing of rice is a promising and alternative strategy for rice establishment. Therefore, a field study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative efficiency of different sowing methods and tillage practices for direct seeded rice in salt affected soil. The following treatments tested were; T₁: cultivator, T₂: disk harrow + cultivator, T₃: rotavator + cultivator, with three sowing techniques; S₁: broadcast + seed covering with planking 40 kg, S ₂: broadcast + seed covering with planking 60 kg and, S₃: drill sowing. The experiment was designed in randomize complete block design having split plot arrangement and three replications. Results of the study showed that maximum paddy yield was recorded by drill sowing with rotavator + cultivator used as tillage implements for land preparation. At the end of the study, soil properties were also improved with reduction of 0.57%, 16.21% and 8.56% in pH_s, EC_e and SAR respectively with use of rotavator + cultivator and drill sowing. In conclusion, use of rotavator + cultivator as tillage implement and drill sowing is effective and feasible technology for direct sowing of rice in salt affected soils.