Relative Performance of Rice Varieties under Drip Irrigated Dry Direct-seeded and Flood Irrigated Transplanted Conditions

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of 3 different rice varieties (KNM-1638, JGL-24423 & DRR Dhan-42) under drip irrigated dry direct-seeded condition as well as conventionally flooded transplanted condition with 100 & 125% N. The experiment was performed in split-plot design with 3 varieties in the main plot and 2 levels of irrigation (1.0 Epan & 1.5 Epan) in combination with 2 doses of N (100 & 125% of RDF) in the sub-plot. An observation trial with these 3 varieties under transplanted condition with 100 & 125% N was taken up. The study was conducted during kharif seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at College farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranangar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. In each variety, best performing irrigation level was found at 100% N & 125% N. Growth parameters, yield parameters & yield of best-performing treatments under dry direct-seeded (DDSR) condition was compared with conventionally flooded transplanted rice (CFTPR) with the same variety and same dose of N using one sample t-test. KNM-1638 recorded significantly higher yield at 5% level of significance under transplanted condition compared to dry direct-seeded condition both at 100% N (P=0.01) & 125% N (P=0.01). Grain yield was statistically comparable at 5% level of significance under dry direct-seeded and transplanted condition for JGL-24423 at 100% N (P= 0.18). However, at 125% N, transplanted rice recorded superior yields to that of direct-seeded rice at 5% level of significance (P = 0.01). DRR Dhan-42 registered comparable yields under direct-seeded and transplanted condition with 100 (P = 0.22) & 125% N (P = 0.07) at 5% level of significance. There observed 57-68% of saving in irrigation water in DDSR compared to CFTPR. Based on yield, economization of water and nitrogen, KNM-1638 is recommended for cultivation under transplanted condition with 100% N; whereas, JGL-24423 & DRR Dhan-42 can be successfully cultivated under dry direct-seeded condition with 100% N without yield penalty.