Determination of seed rate for mechanical transplanting of hybrid paddy variety in Bangladesh

Abstract. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining an appropriate seed rate for mechanical transplanting of hybrid paddy and evaluating the performance of rice transplanter in puddled and unpuddled soil condition using hybrid paddy variety. The experiment was conducted in two cropping seasons, Boro2018 and Aman2018 at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh and Mothbaria, Dumuria, Khulna district, respectively. In Boro season, four seed rate per tray treatments were 90gm, 100gm, 110gm and 120gm and in Aman season 110gm, 120gm and 130gm seed rate per tray was evaluated based on Boro season result. In Boro season, the missing hill percentage were found46.43%, 28.57%, 21.43% and 7.17% for 90gm, 100gm, 110gm and 120gm seed rate, respectively. Floating hill (%) were found1.25%, 7.14%, 10.71% and 3.57% for 90gm, 100gm, 110gm and 120gm, respectively. Seedling per hill was found as 1-2 nos for 90gm, 2-3 nos for 100gm, 2-4 nos for 110gm and 4-5 nos for 120 gm. In Aman season, among three treatments missing hill percentage for 110 gm, 120gm and 130gm was 13.4%, 7.693% and 7.724%, respectively. Floating hill of 110 gm, 120gm and 130gm per tray were 2.78%, 1.04% and 1.106%, respectively. Seedling per hill was observed higher in 130 gm seed rate and it was 3-5 seedlings per hill. In Boro season, it was found that the effective field capacity, fuel consumption and efficiency of the ACI Daedong DP 480 model rice transplanter in puddled condition were 0.0.17 ha/hr, 4.61 lit/ha and 70.20%, respectively. In Aman season, It was found that the effective field capacity, fuel consumption and efficiency of the ACI Daedong DP 488 model rice transplanter in puddled condition were 0.19 ha/hr, 4.73 lit/ha, 76.39%. Among the experiments in both seasons, the seed rate of 120gm/ tray was found more satisfactory for mechanical transplanting of hybrid paddy.