PLANTING GEOMETRY-INDUCED ALTERATION IN WEED INFESTATION, GROWTH AND YIELD OF PUDDLED RICE

Transplanted rice generally produces better yield than direct seeded rice if managed properly. The present study was conducted in order to explore the effects of varying planting geometries under weedy and weed free conditions in puddled rice. Three different planting geometries viz; 20cm × 20cm, 20cm × 15cm and 15cm × 15cm were evaluated under weedy and weed free environments. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement and replicated thrice. Data were collected pertaining to weeds infestation, growth and yield related attributes of rice. The results revealed that maximum weed suppression was observed in closest plant spacing (15cm × 15cm) in case of weedy treatments 20 and 40 days after transplanting (DAT), while widest plant spacing (20cm × 20cm) proved effective regarding yield and yield related attributes. Statistically maximum leaf area index (LAI) of 9.06, crop growth rate (CGR) of 3.96 g m^-2 d^-1 and leaf area duration (LAD) of 109.28 days, paddy and biological yield (4.14 and 15.42 t ha^-1), respectively were recorded in widest spacing of 20cm × 20cm. Moreover, improved growth and yield related parameters of rice were recorded under weed free conditions as compared to weedy plots.