Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Aim: The aim of the experiment is to know the effect of seedling age and nitrogen management on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of kharif rice.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split-plot design.

Place and Duration of Study: Research Farm of Agricultural Research Station, Brinjhagiri, Chhatabar of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), during kharif season of 2023.

Methodology: Three seedling ages viz. S₁: 3 weeks (21 days), S₂: 4 weeks (28 days) and S₃: 5 weeks (35 days) as main plot treatment and four nitrogen management strategies i.e. N₁: 100% N through urea, N₂: 50% N through urea + 50% N through neem cake, N₃: 50% N through urea + 50% N through FYM and N₄: 50% N through FYM + 50% N through neem cake as sub-plot treatments replicated thrice. The net plot size was 4m × 3m.

Results: S₂ resulted highest grain yield (4.74t ha^-1) and straw yield (7.18t ha^-1). N₁ produced highest grain yield (4.54t ha^-1) and straw yield (6.96t ha^-1). Maximum net return (Rs.60367) and return per rupee investment (1.98) received from 4 weeks old seedling with 100% N through urea application.

Conclusion: Transplantation of 4 weeks old seedling (28 days) and 50% N through urea + 50% N through neem cake can be recommended to achieve higher yield. Maximum net return (Rs.60367), gross return (Rs.121687) and return per rupee investment (1.98) received from 4 weeks old seedling with 100% N through urea application.