Optimization of Soaking Time and Effect of Sprouting Duration on Yield in Direct Seeded Rice Cultivation using Drum Seeder

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of sprouting duration of well soaked seeds on seed rate and yield of rice cultivated by drum seeder. ‘Prabhat’ variety of paddy after 24 hours soaking and at 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60 hours sprouting duration resulted into the seed rate of 33.82, 33.51, 33.51, 32.88, 32.57, 31.01, 27.56 and 23.80 kg/ha respectively. Maximum yield of 3872 kg/ha was achieved at 32.86 kg/ha seed rate. Minimum yield of 2389 kg/ha was at seed rate of 23.80 kg/ha. The seed rate showed a declining trend with increase in sprouting duration, which got accelerated after 48 hours. The yield at maximum seed rate of 33.82 kg/ha was found 3084 kg/ha. Initially, the yield started increasing with decrease in seed rate having maximum value 3872 kg/ha at 36 hours sprouting duration. Further decrease in seed rate resulted into loss of yield. Hence, for cultivation of short duration ‘Prabhat’ variety of paddy by drum seeder, 24 hours seed soaking time, 36 hours seed sprouting duration and 32.88 kg/ha seed rate is recommended for getting optimum yield under well puddled sandy loam soil.