Performance of Basmati Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Different Transplanting Dates and Plant Spacings in South West Punjab

A field experiment entitled Performance of Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different transplanting dates and spacings was conducted at the Research Farm of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo during kharif season 2016. The experiment was laid out in split plot design comprising three transplanting dates (July 12, July 27 and August 11) in main plot and three spacings (25cm × 15cm, 20cm × 15cm and 15cm × 15cm) in sub-plot. The treatment combinations were replicated thrice. Results of field experiment revealed that early transplanting i.e. July 12 of basmati rice recorded significantly higher panicle length, number of grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. Similarly, sown rice in spacing of 20cm × 15cm gave significantly higher grain yield (46.8 q/ha) over the other two spacings. On the basis of experiment it is concluded that transplanting of rice seedlings on July 12 and spacing of 20cm × 15cm gave maximum yield of Basmati rice. The findings can be useful for improving productivity of Basmati rice in south western districts of Punjab.