Evaluation of Tillering Behavior and Yielding Ability of Different Rice Varieties under Unpuddled Conditions

A field trial was conducted at Central Farm of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during Kharif, 2017 on sandy clay loam soils to evaluate the effect of various sowing windows on tillering performance and yielding ability of three different varieties under unpuddled condition. The study was evaluated in a Split plot design with three replications and a treatment consisting of two dates of sowing (July first and second fortnight) assigned in main plots and three varieties viz., ADT 48, MDU 5 and CO 51 in two methods of planting (Direct seeded rice (DSR) and Unpuddled Transplanted rice (UPTR)) in sub plots. The treatments were compared with conventional planting of short duration variety (CO 51) under late release of water from July first and second fortnight (absolute control 1 & 2). The results revealed that, tiller production was not significantly influenced by sowing dates but effective tillers and yield was more in early sowing than late sowing. Among the method of planting with different varieties, direct sowing of CO 51 produced more tillers like primary, secondary tillers m-2 at various growth stages. The tertiary tiller production was higher in the UPTR method than direct sowing. As a result of more number of panicles, higher yield was achieved in direct sowing of CO 51 which produced a grain yield of 5987 kg ha-1 and straw yield of 8130 kg ha-1 over early and very early duration varieties viz., MDU 5 and ADT 48 under both method of planting. Therefore, CO 51 was proved its supremacy to produce more tillers and give higher yield under direct sowing method than unpuddled condition transplanting.