Quality and economics of basmati cultivars under dsr as influence by split application of nitrogenous fertilizers

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is the most prominent crop over globe. In India, rice crop plays vital role in country’s food security and is the backbone of livelihood for millions of people, so may be called as ‘rice is life’. Traditional puddled rice is a major source of methane, nitrous oxide emission which is directly related to greenhouse gases to global warming. Transplanting is the dominant method of sowing in the rice-wheat growing areas of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is the technology which is water, labour and energy efficient along with eco-friendly characteristics. However, high weed infestation is the major bottleneck in DSR, especially in dry field conditions and, availability of several nutrients including N, P, S and micronutrients such as Zn and Fe, is likely to be a constraint With the increase in prices of inputs and low rice prices, rice production does not provide farmers with high income. Therefore, it is essential to know about best selection of cultivar with right time of input application for the success of the technology. Keeping this in view an experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, CCSHAU, Karnal. Four basmati cultivars PB 1121, PB 1509, PB 1 and HB 2 were chosen as main plot treatments and three nitrogen doses with 3 & 4 splits as sub plot treatments in split plot design. Experimental results recorded highest gross returns with basmati cultivar HB-2 (Rs. 99955 & 102777 ha-1) followed by PB-1121 (Rs. 99100 & 99500 ha-1) and minimum net returns with PB 1. Highest net income was obtained with basmati cultivar HB-2 (Rs. 19681 & 22179 ha-1) followed by PB-1121 (Rs. 18844 & 18902 ha-1) and PB-1 (Rs. 4072 & 4981 ha-1). The lowest net income was obtained with PB-1509 (Rs.2366 & 3653 ha-1). There was increase in benefit-cost ratio in basmati rice cultivation with increase in N doses from 90 (1.06-1.10) to 100 (1.12-1.16) and 110 kg ha-1 (1.20-1.25) in succession. Similarly, benefit-cost ratio increased with increase in number of splits from three (1.06-1.21) to four (1.08-1.25) at same level of nitrogen.