PERFORMANCE OF DIRECT SEEDED RICE (Oryza sativa L.) UNDERDIFFERENT SEED RATES

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Rice Research Station, at Sammanthurai in Ampara, Sri
Lanka to assess the performance of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different seed
rates. This experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three
replicates. Five seed rates viz., 3, 5 (recommended), 7, 9 and 10 bu/ha were included in the
study, which is equivalent to 61.5, 102.5, 143.5, 184.5 and 205 kg/ha, respectively. The area of
each plot was 4 x 3 m
2
. The seeds were broadcasted and the seedlings were maintained as per the
recommendation by the Department of Agriculture.
The results revealed that the seed rate (143.5 kg/ha) significantly increased the number of
tillers/ha, straw, roots, total dry matter and economic yield/ha. The lowest economic yield/ha was
obtained at the seed rate of 61.5 kg/ha and highest economic yield/ha was obtained at the seed
rate of 143.5 kg/ha (7 bu/ha) whereas the lowest grain yield/plant was recorded at the highest
seed rate of 205 kg/ha and highest economic yield/plant was recorded at the lowest seed rate
(widest density) of 61.5 kg/ha. Therefore, the seed rate of 143.5 kg/ha (7 bu/ha) produced
maximum economic yield than the recommended seed rate of 102.5 kg/ha (5 bu/ha). So the
performance of direct seeded rice (BG 94-1) @143.5 kg/ha (7 bu/ha) is the best choice for
obtaining maximum yield in the Ampara District.