EFFECT OF METHOD OF NURSERY RAISING AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF HYBRID RICE (ORYZA-SATIVA)

A field study was undertaken in hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) with 5 n itrogen levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) and 3 methods of nurser y raising [puddled and dry sowing in hybrid 'ORI 161' ('PHB 71') and d ry sowing in hybrid 'PMS 2A' x 'IR 31802']. There was significant incr ease in grain yield up to 200 kg N/ha in 1993, whereas up to 150 kg N in 1994. Straw yield increased significantly up to 200 kg N/ha. Panicl e weight increased up to 150 kg N in 1993 and 100 kg N/ha in 1994. N a nd P uptake in grain and straw was affected significantly up to the hi ghest level of N application. Hybrid 'ORI 161' registered 9.9 q/ha (pu ddled sowing) and 8.5 q/ha (dry sowing) increase in grain yield over h ybrid 'PMS 2A' x 'IR 31802' (dry sowing): Panicle weight and straw yie ld also followed the similar trend. Plants were more taller in hybrid 'ORI 161' than in 'PMS 2A' x 'IR 31802'.