Production potential and economic analysis of direct wet seeded aromatic rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Cv. Pusa Basmati 1 as influenced by fertility levels and weed management practices

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil during wet season of 2003 and 2004 to evaluate the grain yield and economic feasibility of direct wet seeded aromatic rice under different fertility levels viz. 80: 40: 40; 100: 50: 50; 120:60:60 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively and weed management practices viz. anilofos @ 0.4 kg a.i ha-1, butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i ha-1, 2 handweedings and weedy check. There was increase in yield and net income by subsequent increase in fertility levels. Among weed management practices, 2 handweeding recorded highest grain yield followed by anilofos. The maximum grain yield was observed in plots treated with 120: 60: 60 kg ha-1 of N: P2O5: K2O respectively and 2 handweedings, however, higher net return and benefit cost ratio(BCR) was observed in 120: 60: 60 kg ha-1 of N: P2O5: K2O and anilofos. treatment. Maximum weed index was observed in weedy check plots (67–69%). The unit increase in intensity of monocots, dicots and weed dry weight causes decrease in rice grain yield by 2.18, 1.64 and 2.85 q ha-1 respectively.