EFFECT OF TRANSPLANTING DATE AND IRRIGATION REGIME ON GROWTH, YIELD AND WATER-USE IN RICE (ORYZA-SATIVA) IN NORTHERN INDIA

A 4-year field study was conducted on sandy-loam soil (Typic Ustochrep ts) to evaluate the effect of transplanting time and irrigation regime on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The treatments inc luded combinations of 3 dates of transplanting and 4 regimes of irriga tion. The crop transplanted on 31 May gave the highest grain yield (7 328 kg/ha). It was significantly more than that riven by the crop tran splanted on 16 May, which was statistically superior to that given by the crop transplanted on 16 June. The crop transplanted on 31 May save d 15.4% irrigation water. showing 7.8% higher grain yield and 24.5% hi gher irrigation water-use efficiency than the crop transplanted on 16 May. Though the crop transplanted on 16 June, due to relatively severe attack or shootborer, gave 11.7% less grain yield than that transplan ted on 31 May, it required 12.7% less irrigation water than the latter crop. The practice of continuous submergence for initial 2 weeks afte r transplanting followed by irrigation at 2-day drainage saved, on an average, 73% irrigation water compared with traditional practice of co ntinuous shallow submergence.