Performance of puddling equipment and self-propelled rice transplanter in crop establishment and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa)

A study was undertaken at Rice Research Station, Kaul, Haryana, during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999, to find out the suitable level of puddling and sedimentation period requirement for the smooth working of the transplanter in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Three puddling methods, viz. farmers’ practice (2 puddling harrow), Chinese power tiler (once) and rotavator (once), were tried along with 3 sedimentation periods (2,3 and 4 days after puddling). Better quality of puddling was obtained in the plot prepared by rotavator over the other methods. This might be due to higher puddling index (61.5 and 50.4%) and puddling depth (10 and 11.7 cm) during 1998 and 1999 respectively. Bulk density in the upper layer (0–15 cm) was found to be lower than 15–30 cm depth irrespective of puddling methods. Number of hills/m2, seedlings/hill and missing hills/m2 did not vary significantly with puddling methods and sedimentation period. However, missing hills/m2 were higher with rotavator puddling over other methods of puddling. These were also higher with sedimentation period of 2 days over 3 and 4 days of sedimentation. Significantly higher grain yield (68.15 and 66.11 q/ha) was recorded from the field puddled with rotavator than other methods of puddling, during both the years. Significantly higher grain yield and panicles/m2 were recorded with 3 and 4 days sedimentation period than 2 days during 1999 of study.