Abstract
Field studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of two planting methods i.e. transplanting and direct seeding and three levels of nitrogen i.e. 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha'! on growth and yield of rice (Basmati-385) during the year 1998, The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having 4 replications and a net plot size of 2 x 3 m. Yield and yield components were significantly affected by different planting methods and nitrogen levels. Transplanting produced significantly higher paddy and total dry matter yield (2.77 t ha'! and 8.54 t ha") than with direct sowing method (2.30 t ha'! and 7.46 t ha'') but planting methods had no effect on harvest index. Among .nitrogen levels, 100 kg N ha'! resulted in maximum paddy and total biomass yield of 3.03 and 9.74 t ha", respectively.Transplanting produced significantly more number of productive tillers per hill, more number of spikelets per panicle than direct sowing but planting method had no effect on lOOO-grainweight. Among nitrogen levels 100 kg N ha'! resulted in maximum number of tillers per hill, spikelets per panicle and lOOO-grainweight than rest of the nitrogen levels. Key words: Basmati-385, growth and yield, nitrogen levels, planting methods
