The competitive interactions of ten upland rice genotypes were assessed by growing binary mixtures and component monocultures for evaluating the agricultural value of variety mixture for higher productivity. Also attempt was made to correlate different characters with competitive ability and to use such information in selection strategies for developing upland varieties with high yields and competitive ability. The different parameters of de Wit’s model like relative yield, relative crowding coefficient and relative reproductive rate were used for assessing competitive interactions. It was found that competitiveness is associated with the increased grains per panicle, higher grain fertility and better grain filling. The genotypes Kalinga III, Badami and Khandagiri were found to possess high competitive ability. It was also noticed that the binary mixtures like Badami + Annada, Pathara + Badami, Badami + Annada, Ghanteswari + Sidhant, Suphala + Annapurna, Parijat + Badami out yielded the best component parent.

Key words: Binary mixture, intergenotypic competition, rice

Eighteen hybrids generated from crossing six basmati lines with three tester parents were studied for combining ability for grain yield and its component characters. Additive gene action was predominant for flag leaf area, panicle length, grain weight panicle-1 and grain yield plant-1while days to flowering, PBT plant-1, grains panicle-1 exhibited preponderance of non-additive gene action. Kasturi, Basmati 5853 and Haryana Basmati 1 among the lines and Pant Dhan 11 among the testers emerged as good general combiner for various traits. Basmati C 622 x TN 1, Basmati. 5853 x Pant Dhan 11and Pusa Basmati 1 x T N 1 crosses were emerged as most promising.

Key words: Rice, combining ability, gene action, grain yield and yield component

The wild species of the cultivated rice are a good reservoir of genetic variability for various biotic and abiotic characters. They harbour significantly higher genetic diversity than the cultivated species. A devastating super cyclone had hit the Orissa coast during 29-30 October, 1999 and about 10,000 people and a lot of properties including plant genetic resources were lost. To salvage the rice genetic resources from the region special collection missions were made during 1999-2001. A total of 483 accessions of two wild rice germplasm, namely Oryza nivara and O. rufipogon were collected from south east India – where they occur abundantly. They were then multiplied for seed increase, characterized, evaluated and conserved. Among the wild rice accessions which showed high variability, 24 accessions were resistant to bacterial blight and two accessions of O. nivara (IC-330470 & IC-330611, were tolerant) to moisture stress.

Key words: Exploration, Germplasm, Oryza nivara, O. rufipogon, east India, bacterial blight

Genotypes x environment interaction was studied for grain yield, its components and grain quality traits in 10 parents and their 45 F1s of scented rice (Oryza sativa L.) under four environments created by four different dates of transplanting during wet season 2003. Significant genotype x environment interactions were observed for all the eleven characters having homogenous error variance in environments. Among the linear and non-linear components of G x E interaction linear component was predominant for most of the characters, suggesting variation in the performance of different genotypes grown over environments could be predicted. Mean squares due to environment (linear) was also found significant for all the characters, indicating differences between environments and their influence on genotypes for expression of these characters. Based on stability parameters and overall mean, genotypes IET 13549 and Pusa Basmati-1 were most stable under different environments, while IET 13846 was suitable for poor environments and the crosses Taroari Basmati x IET 16320, IET 13549 x IET 13846 and Pusa Basmati-1 x IET 13846 were more suitable for favourable environments with respect to these characters.

Key words: Scented rice, stability parameters, grain yield, grain quality characters

Knowledge on fertility behavior of thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line is highly essential for increasing hybrid rice production. A set of four promising TGMS lines viz., GD 98014, GD 99017, GD 98029 and GD 98049 was characterized for their fertility behaviour under field conditions. The pollen and spikelet fertility data revealed that all lines had stable sterile phase with 100 per cent pollen sterility for more than 50 consecutive days during high temperature condition (30/20 0C maximum/minimum temperature) and they reverted to 60% pollen and spikelet fertility during low temperature condition (less than 30/20 0C). The critical panicle developmental stages sensitive to temperature were ascertained for each line. The daily mean temperature, relative humidity and photoperiod appeared to influence fertility alteration in some lines. The environmental conditions influencing fertility alteration varied among the lines. However, all the lines satisfied the requirement of stable fertility behaviour to the level of commercial exploitation in two-line hybrid breeding and found as potential TGMS donors to develop new TGMS lines.

Key words: Rice, TGMS, critical temperature, sterility, fertility behaviour

Twenty six rice genotypes were evaluated at the Rice Research Station, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, over eight environments during wet season 2000 and dry season 2001 for the assessment of yield and yield stability. Pooled analysis of variance for grain yield over environments showed highly significant differences among genotypes, environments and genotype-environment (GxE) interaction indicating diverse and variable nature of cropping environments. The genotypes were classified into four adaptive groups based on regression co-efficient (b) and deviation from regression (S2d). Majority of the high yielding genotypes in both mid-early group (Daya, Lalat, Sebati, Konark and ORS 199-5) and medium maturity group (Bhuban, Birupa, Meher, Kharavela and Tapaswini) with high yield potential have either above average (b>1) or below average (b<1) responses. The genotypes Sarathi and IR 36 with low yield potential exhibited average stability with unit regression and S2d values not significantly different from zero.

Key words: Rice, genotype- environment interaction, regression co-efficient

An incubation experiment on potassium fixation and availability in six rice soils of West Bengal was conducted at varying levels of added K. Amount of K fixed increased in all the soils with the increase in applied K from 15 to 240 mg kg-1 soil, however, the percentage of added K fixed decreased gradually. The K fixation could still increase upon addition of higher levels of added K beyond 240 mg kg-1 soil. Illite and smectite dominant Inceptisols with high available and reserve K showed a lower K fixation (4.9 to 39.6 mg kg-1 soil) as compared to illite dominant Entisols (5.5 to 41.0 mg kg-1 soil) containing moderate available and reserve K. Conversely, kaolinite dominant Alfisol with low available and reserve K registered the lowest amount of K fixation (2.5 to 14.9 mg kg-1 soil). Maximum per cent K fixation was observed at 15 mg kg-1 of added K in all the soils, the more so in Entisols than in Inceptisols and Alfisol. Fertilizer K requirement per unit increase in available K in soil was relatively higher in Entisols and Inceptisols (1.15 to 1.19) and lower in Alfisol (1.06).

Key words: Potassium fixation, available and reserve K, added K, rice soils, West Bengal

Comparative effect of manuring on yield, under farmers’ practice, recommended practice and practice on the basis of soil test under rice-rice cropping system was studied at Regional Research Sub-Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal. The results revealed that the highest growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield (4.15 and 4.61 t ha-1 during wet season and 5.90 and 6.10 t ha-1during boro season) as well as system productivity (10.05 t ha-1) were recorded when the crop received 100 % recommended doses of NPK on the basis of soil test along with Zn @ 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 during both the seasons resulting in 53.90 % yield increase over control. This treatment also gave the highest value of net return (Rs. 25730 ha-1) and return per rupee investment (1.70). Thus a nutrient management system can be adopted for sustained crop production, which involved nutrient application on the basis of soil test along with micronutrient application in the deficient soil.

Key words: Primary nutrients, micronutrients, growth, yield, uptake, economics, rice

The response of rice (cv. Pant Dhan-4) to different planting dates and soil water regimes under upland conditions was studied in tarai region of Uttaranchal at the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar . Delay in planting from15 June to 15 July decreased plant height (13 %), leaf area index (10 %), number of tillers (5 %), number of days to panicle initiation (6 to 8 days), 50 per cent flowering (12 to 15 days), maturity (6 to 7 days) and grain yield (5 to 15 %). Application of 7.5 cm irrigation water 3 days after disappearance from the plot reduced the number of tillers by 11 per cent and grain yield by 16 to 20 per cent over continuous submergence of 5.0 + 2.5 cm irrigation water. Crop maturity was delayed by 8 to 11 days due to change in soil water regimes from continuous submergence to rainfed conditions.

Key words: Planting dates, soil water regimes, upland rice, yield

The efficacy of organic sources, viz. farmyard manure (FYM) and green Karanj leaf (Derris indica) manure (KL), in combination with inorganic sources of nutrients in rice wheat cropping system was evaluated and the results revealed that substitution of 25 % N through Karanj leaf in rice followed by 100% recommended dose of fertilizer in wheat produced significantly maximum rice equivalent yield (94.72 q ha-1), production efficiency (39.32 kg grain ha-1 day-1), apparent N recovery (59.90%) and benefit cost ratio (2.85:1) and was at par with 25 % N substitution by Karanj leaf in rice followed by 75% recommended dose of fertilizer in wheat and 25% N substitution by farmyard manure in rice followed by 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer in wheat, while, maximum land use efficiency (65.94%) was under 50 % N substitution by Karanj leaf in rice followed by 100% recommended dose of fertilizer in wheat and maximum N-use efficiency was recorded under 25 % N substitution by Karanj leaf in rice followed by 75% recommended dose of fertilizer in wheat.

Key words: Nitrogen use efficiency, rice-wheat cropping system, INM

The biology of Scirpophaga incertulas Wlk studied at CRRI, Cuttack, Orissa revealed that average incubation, larval, pre-pupal, pupal, pre-oviposition, oviposition, post oviposition, male and female longevity, total life cycle of male and female were completed in 6.71, 34.74, 1.19, 7.52, 1.13, 1.32, 0.27, 2.64, 2.96, 52.6 and 55.4 days and 7.2, 39.38, 1.22, 8.06, 1.21, 1.41, 0.41, 2.75, 3.12, 58.69 and 62.14 days during Sept.-Oct. and Oct.-Nov., respectively. The fecundity, egg masses/adult, no. of eggs/eggmass, number of larvae emerged/eggmass, % adult emergence and sex ratio (male:female) is 142, 2, 112.8, 82.6, 52.38 and 1:1.88 in the moth of Sept.-Oct. and 160.7, 2.2, 126.3, 108, 57.26 and 1:2 during Oct.-Nov., respectively. Neonate larvae failed to make entry into fully matured 150 days old mother tillers. The larvae could survive beyond 20 days on cut stem pieces and spikelets inside the unopened boot leaf. They could survive up to 8th day on the mid rib of the leaf.

Key words: Biology, behaviour, Scirpophaga incertulas, rice

A study was undertaken in Dhenkanal district of Orissa to analyze the livelihood pattern of tribal farmwomen in rice-based farming system and identify different income generating opportunities. The study highlights the extent of tribal women’s empowerment through various income generating activities in rice-based farming system. The livelihood pattern of tribal farmwomen of Dhenkanal district was mainly from rice cultivation, horticultural and animal husbandry activities. The data relating to major income generating activities revealed that most of the respondents had taken up ‘integration of other crops viz., oilseeds, pulses and vegetables with rice’ which ranked first. The overall gain in empowerment of tribal farm women through income generating activities was 25.6 per cent. The study further revealed that income generating activities contributed significantly for enhancement in empowerment. Illiteracy was perceived as the top most constraint by 94.17 per cent respondents in empowerment through income generating activities in rice-based farming system.

Key words: Tribal livelihood, gender empowerment, rice-based farming system

Hybrid rice cultivation is a practically feasible and adaptable technology to enhance rice production and productivity to meet the future demand. A study was undertaken in Balipatna and Balianta blocks of Khurda district as well as Attabira and Barapali blocks of Baragarh districts in Orissa during 2006-07 involving 208 rice growers to find out the constraints in hybrid rice cultivation. It is revealed that unavailability of quality seeds of choiceable variety, poor advisory services particularly training, demonstration and friendly approach, lack of price support for crop inputs, credit facilities, easy disposal of produce with remunerative price, poor attempt to develop consciousness and decision making ability of the farmers as well as developing leaders among the people were the major constraints in hybrid rice cultivation.

Key words: Hybrid rice, constraints, cultivation

A set of diallel crosses involving nine genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) with early and medium maturity were evaluated for grain yield, morpho–physiological and some of the quality traits. Gene action estimated through Harman’s (1954) approach revealed that both additive and non additive gene actions for traits viz., plant height(cm), days to 50% flowering, leaf area index(%), harvest index(%), net-assimilation rate(g cm-² day-1), biological yield(g), grain yield(g), panicle length(cm), 100 grain weight(g), grain length(mm), grain breadth(mm), dry matter(g) and L\B ratio. Non-additive gene action (dominance and epistasis) were predominant as compared to additive gene action except for L\B ratio, which is easily transferred through hybridization for crop improvement programme. The positive and negative genes in the parents were distributed unequally for all the traits except for harvest index (0.25). Correlation coefficient was negative and significant indicating the dominance of positive genes for days to 50% flowering, grain yield per plant, days to maturity and 100 grain weight. Significant value of F for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, leaf area index and grain breadth indicated asymmetrical distribution of dominant and recessive genes in the parents. The high heritability in narrow sense was established for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity leaf area index and medium for plant height, length of panicle, 100 grain weight and net-assimilation rate. Consequently any selection method adopted could lead to desirable improvement in the above mentioned traits. For varietal improvement in very early group, the exploitation of parent VLDhan 221 might be useful, as it possesses more number of desirable recessive genes for earliness.


Key words: Rice, diallel, genetic components, gene action

Nitrogen uptake and N use efficiency in hybrid and common rice as influenced by nitrogen fertilization were studied in a field experiment. Nitrogen content in rice plant was affected significantly by both genotype and nitrogen fertilization. N content increased with N uptake rate in all plant parts. The grain contained 66, 59 and 60% of total N at N0, N1 and N2 levels, respectively. The interaction effect of genotype and nitrogen rates on N content in leaf at tillering and heading and in grain at maturity was significant. Both genotype and nitrogen fertilization affected physiological N use efficiency significantly and higher PNUE was observed in common rice. Agronomic N use efficiency and efficiency of fertilizer N didn’t differ significantly among genotypes and N rates.

Key words: Rice, nitrogen, N use efficiency, uptake, yield

The effect of different levels of nitrogen (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and certain weeding practices on hybrid rice (ADTRH-1) were studied during both dry and wet season of 2003. Response of nitrogen was noticed up to 150 kg ha-1 with the maximum grain yield of 5.80 t ha-1. In respect of weed management practices, highest rice grain yield was obtained with weed free (6.24 t ha-1) followed by butachlor 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 at 3 days after transplanting (DAT) + hand weeding at 40 DAT (5.78 t ha-1)and the effect was comparable with that of hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAT.

Key words: Hybrid rice, nitrogen levels, weed management

Iron toxic soil, one of the handicapped soils of Orissa produces poor rice yield. Normal rice production in these soils by means of amelioration is costly. Considering rice genotypes to be a better option for getting expected yields, 65 genotypes were evaluated for their tolerance capacity to iron toxicity in a typical iron toxic soil of Bhubaneswar, Orissa Rice genotypes irrespective of their duration showing score value between 1 to 2 produced normal yields and those having score between 7 to 9 yielded the minimum. Genotypes Kalinga-III, Udayagiri, Konark and Panidhan under extra early, early, medium and late durations, respectively produced significantly higher yields at different score scales than their respective duration groups.

Key words: Iron toxicity, genotypes, score scale and grain yield

The influence of crop establishment techniques and sources of nutrients on productivity, energetics and economics of rice was studied in red clay loam soil. The SRI establishment technique recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield (10171 and 11265 kg ha-1 respectively), total energy ouput (290329 MJ ha-1), energy output: input ratio (15.78), gross income (666.58 Rs. ha-1), net income (49256 Rs. ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.84) compared to transplanting and aerobic techniques. Among the sources of nutrients, application of fym + recommended npk recorded higher grain and straw yield (8871 and 9938 kg ha-1, respectively), total energy output (254629 MJ ha-1) and gross income (58196 Rs. Ha-1), whereas application of recommended npk recorded significantly higher energy output: input ratio (15.00). In-situ incorporation of green manure (Sunnhemp) + Recommended npk recorded higher net income (42636 Rs. Ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.79) as compared to other treatments.

Key words: Establishment techniques, rice, sources of nutrients, total energy output, energy output: input ratio, B:C ratio

An experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of complete submergence of 7,10 and 15 days duration on the chlorophyll content of two flood susceptible cultivars and two flood resistant cultivars at the seedling stages(7-day old,10-day old and 15-day old). In comparison to the normal plants, total chlorophyll contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b of the submerged seedlings were found to be lower at all the three growth stages of all the four cultivars.The rate of reduction of chlorophyll content during complete submergence was found to be remarkably higher in flood susceptible cultivars compared to that of resistant cultivars. However, this was more pronounced with increased duration of submergence.

Key words: Rice seedling, submergence, chlorophyll content

Field trials conducted under irrigated conditions during wet season of 2003 and 2004 in Kashmir to get an effective for fungicides in the control of leaf blast, neck blast and sheath blight revealed that four spays of Hexaconazole 5 EC, Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75WP, Carbendazim 50 WP were found most effective in controlling the above pests respectively and increased grain yield. Highest control of neck blast (56.9%) and suppression of glume discolouration (47.1%) was observed when Carbendazim + Mancozeb 75WP @ 0.563 kg a.i. ha-1 was applied. However, maximum leaf blast control (49.6%) was recorded in Hexaconazole 5EC treated plots while Carbendazim 50 WP reduced the sheath blight severity (42.4%) to a maximum extent.

Key words: Fungicides, location specific diseases, rice, temperate

On-farm research trial on biointensive pest management in basmati rice (Pusa Basmati-1) was conducted during wet season 2006 in farmers participatory mode in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand with three treatments comprising of farmers’ practice (FP), chemical based pest management (CBP) and Integrated pest management (IPM) in four villages having two locations in each village. In case of IPM, the crop suffered less incidence of insect pests viz. stem borer (2.43%), leaf folder (4.2%), grasshopper (2.24%); diseases viz. brown spot (2.47%), sheath blast (7.46%), BLB (2.18%) and false smut (0.74%), in contrast to farmers’ pest management practices in which crop suffered with stem borer (5.14%), leaf folder (7.68%), grass hopper (4.53%); brown spot (7.32%), sheath blast (10.24%), BLB (5.63%) and false smut (6.21%). The yield data of various treatments indicates that the IPM plots recorded highest yield i.e., 4.6 t ha-1 in comparison to FP (3.1 t ha-1) and CBP (4.4t ha-1). The highest cost benefit ratio was recorded in IPM (13.16) followed by CBP (12.92) and FP (2.84). The study revealed the cost effectiveness of integrating non-pesticidal strategies with additional benefits like safety to beneficial organism and reduction in pesticide load to the enviornment.

Key words: Basmati rice, insect pests, diseases, biointensive IPM