Production potential, profitability and energetics of transplanted rice as influenced by establishment methods and nutrient management practices in Eastern Himalaya

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of ICAR RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani in two consecutive kharif seasons of 2011 and 2012 to compare the effect of establishment methods and nutrient management practices on production potential, nutrient uptake and energetics in transplanted rice under the hill ecosystem of Nagaland. Results showed that plant height, tillers/m2, dry matter production, root volume and root biomass was recorded significantly higher with system of rice intensification (SRI) followed by integrated crop management (ICM) and conventionally tillage rice (CTR) during both the years. Similarly, the higher number of panicles/hill and panicle length and grain yield were recorded under SRI as compared to ICM and CTR. Among the nutrient management practices, application of 100% RDF+rice straw @ 5 t/ha was recorded markedly higher growth and yield attributes. Further, application of 100% RDF+rice straw 5 t/ha produced the higher grain yield (4.9 and 4.5 t/ha) followed by 100% RDN (farm yard manure)+rice straw @ 5 t/ha (4.7 and 5.4 t/ha), respectively. Among the nutrient management practices, application of 100% RDF+rice straw @ 5 t/ha fetched the maximum net returns and B: C ratio.