Research Article

Response of Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various Planting Dates and Seedling Densities under Arid Environment of Dera Ismail Khan

M. Azam, Iqtidar Hussaian*, Ghazanfar ullah, A.A. Khakwani, M.S. Baloch, K. Waseem, M. Amjed Nadeem and M.K. Javaid

Department of Agronomy, Gomal University, Pakistan.

Received | March 21, 2021; Accepted | August 23, 2021; Published | October 01, 2021

*Correspondence | Iqtidar Hussaian, Department of Agronomy, Gomal University, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Azam, M., I. Hussaian, G. Ullah, A.A. Khakwani, M.S. Baloch, K. Waseem, M. Amjed Nadeem and M.K. Javaid. 2021. Response of fine rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various planting dates and seedling densities under arid environment of Dera Ismail Khan. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 34(4): 781-791.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2021/34.4.781.791

Keywords | Fine rice, Transplanting time, Benefit cost ratio, Environment, Seedling densities

Introduction

On universal based, rice crop is planted on region of 153 million hectares among whole production of 672 million tons. China is the biggest grower of rice, the total production is 196 million tons and after that India is the 2nd biggest rice producer in the world within 133 million tons, while Indonesia produced sixty four million tons, Bangladesh forty seven million tons, Vietnam thirty eight million tons & Myanmar thirty two million tons. However, in Pakistan rice is grown on 2.3 million hectares area by means of total production of rice in Pakistan is 7.2 million tons (FAOSTAT, 2017). Pakistan is among from those countries which are producing and exporting very good quality fine rice. In our country rice is the second most important cereal after wheat, not only in view of local consumption but also in view of exports (Noreen et al., 2020). The productivity in terms of yield and value is governed by varieties and managing practices. Suitable planting of basmati rice is a key factor in influential grain yield and quality parameters. The region under aromatic rice cultivars are raising day by day through the opportunity of world market as well as domestic utilization (Singh et al., 2008). However, the yield of rice crop in Pakistan is quite low in comparison to developed world as well as ever growing population of the country; then is dire need to enhance rice yield abruptly. Among several factors; fertilizers, plant population, time of sowing and transplanting time can significantly increase the rice yield (Amin et al., 2004). Rice crop largely depends on moisture, temperature, solar radiations for its successful growth and development. Rice requires an ample amount of water and plants population for maximum grain yield production as compared to other cereals (Turin et al., 2021). The overcrowding of plants adversely effects equal distribution of edaphic factors, whereas their plants stand cannot fully utilize resources in the surroundings. Therefore, optimum plants stand is a key to achieve highest yield target. Shrirame et al. (2000) took significantly higher tillers per hill by transplanting two seedlings hill-1. Bhowmik et al. (2012) also endorsed the significance of seedlings hill-1 as it helped in capturing maximum nutrients, which improved photosynthetic and respiratory mechanism of plant and ultimate crop yield. Alam (2006) reported maximum production and total tillers by transplanting 2 seedlings hill-1. However, Obulamma et al. (2002) recommended two seedlings per hill to obtain maximum dry matter, leaf area index & leaf area density in contrast to three seedlings per hill which provided highest net assimilation rate, crop growth rate and seed production. Knowing of best transplanting time of Basmati Rice is also an important step to obtain maximum yield. It is also reported that too late or too early time of transplanting can drastically influence rice yield which not only bring sterility in rice panicle but also share cause in reduction in fertile rice tiller in rice (Safdar et al., 2008).

Planting densities plays vital role in the yield of rice. Low, medium and high densities each have different correlation with yield parameters of rice. It is essential to find out the best plating densities corrected with high yield of rice to fulfill the requirement of rice worldwide (Mulcahy et al., 2013). Rice is grown in all continents of the world because it is extensive adaptability to diverse agro climatic conditions (Sharma et al., 2011).

Materials and Methods

An experiment was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture in 2017 cropping season under irrigation from June to November 2017. The site is located in the Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The altitude ranges from 165 m higher than sea level. It is located at 31° 48’ 59.99” N latitude and 70° 54’ 59.99” E. An experiment was conducted to check the response of different levels of seedlings hill-1 viz., 1,2,3,4 were assigned as main plots, whereas, different transplanting dates i.e., 18th of July, 25th of July, 1st August and 8th of August were assigned as sub plots. It is warm and dried out in summer with temperate spells during the monsoon season (Baloch et al., 2006). The experiment was undertaken to study the response of transplanting dates and seedlings per hill on fine rice variety “Super Basmati”. For this purpose, RCBD in split-plot planning was used with three replications. Different levels of seedlings hill-1 viz. 1, 2, 3 & 4 were assigned as main plots, whereas different transplanting dates i.e. 18th July, 25th July, 1st August & 8th August were assigned as sub-plots. The net plot size was 3 m × 4 m (12 m2). The distance between plants was maintained as 25 cm. The recommended NPK dose of 120:60:60 kg ha-1 was used for fine rice, whereas sources of fertilizer were Urea, SSP and SOP. Half of the nitrogen was applied at 25 days after transplanting and remaining half was applied 45 days after transplanting, phosphorus and potassium was applied before transplanting. Zinc was also applied in the form of ZnSo4 (33%) @ 12 kg ha-1 after 10 days of transplanting. The weeds in rice field were controlled by using weedicide Rifit (Pritilaclor 100% 500 g (w/v) @1000 ml ha-1, which was flooded within 24 hours of transplantation. Insects in rice crop was controlled by using pesticides Vertaco 0.6 GR (Thiomethokism 0.4% and Chlorintraniliprol 0.2%) @ 10 kg ha-1 at 25 and 60 days after transplantation. The detail of the treatments is mentioned in the following lines.

Statistical analysis

The collected data were analyzed statistically through analysis of variance technique (Steel et al., 1997). In addition, means of treatment were obtained by utilizing Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability through software package ‘Statistics’.

Results and Discussion

Flag leaf area (cm2)

The maximum flag leaf area (26.50 cm2) was recorded on earliest transplanting date 18-7-2017 while minimum flag leaf area (23.00 cm2) was found on transplanting date 8-8-2017. For planting densities the maximum flag leaf area (26.97 cm2) was noted on 3 seedlings per hill-1. While smallest flag leaf area (22.26 cm2) was noted in treatment with 1seedling per hill (Table 1).

Chlorophyll content (μ g cm-2)

An important indicator of physiological growth and development is chlorophyll content (μ g cm-2). Chlorophyll absorbed radiant energy and converts it to chemical energy by process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll content was measured with the help of chlorophyll spad photometer (Minolta meter). Zhaofen et al. (2016). The highest mean of transplantation date for chlorophyll content (41.98 μ g cm-2) was recorded on 1st transplantation date (18-7-2017). While lowest value (38.16 μ g cm-2) for chlorophyll content was recorded for 4th and last trans-plantation date held on 8-8-2017. The highest mean of plant density for chlorophyll content (44.20 μ g cm-2) was recorded for 3 plants per hill, whereas lowest mean for chlorophyll content (35.34 μ g cm-2) was recorded for 1 plant per hill. As far as interaction is concerned number the highest value of chlorophyll content (46.00 μ g cm-2) was recorded for 3 plant hill-1 under 1st transplantation date (18th July), while, lowest value of chlorophyll content (33.70 μ g cm-2) was obtained in 1 seedlings hill-1 in 4th transplantation date 8th August, 2017 (Table 1).

Plant height (cm)

The all-out plant height (138.50 cm) was recorded for first transplantation date 18-7-2017, while least plant height (125.17 cm) was recorded for 4th and last transplantation date viz., 8-8-2017. As far as the interaction is concerned, the all-out plant height (144.33 cm) was recorded for 3 plant hill-1 under first transplantation date (18th July), whereas least plant height (123.33 cm) was recorded for 1 seedling hill-1 under 4th transplantation date 8th August (Table 1).

Number of fertile tillers hill-1

The determined number of fertile tillers/hill-1 (39.41) were noted for first transplantation date planted on 18-7-2017, whereas lowest (21.66) number of fertile tillers/hill-1 were noted for 4th transplantation date held on 8-8-2-17. Determined number of fertile tillers hill-1 (37.58) were noted for 3 plant hill-1, whilst smallest number of fertile tillers hill-1 (19.50) were noted for 1 plant per hill. As far as interaction is concerned, the determined number of fertile tillers hill-1 (49.33) were noted for 3 plant hill-1 under 1st transplantation date (18th July), while, smallest number of fertile tillers hill-1 (12.00) were noted in 1 seedlings hill-1 under 4th transplantation date 8-8-2017 (Table 2).

Number of unfertile tillers hill-1

Maximum number of unfertile tillers hill-1(11.66) were noted for 4th transplantation date planted on 8th August 2017, whereas minimum unfertile tillers hill-1 (6.33) were noted for 1st transplantation held on 18th July, 2017. As far as planting density is concerned, the maximum unfertile tillers hill-1 (10.58) were recorded in plot transplanted with 3 seedling hill-1, whereas, minimum unfertile tillers hill-1 (8.08) were measured in 1 seedling hill-1 transplanted rice (Table 2).

Panicle length (cm)

The highest value (31.66 cm) for panicle length was noted for 1st transplantation date planted on 18-7-2017, whereas lowermost (19.50 cm) panicle length was measured for four and last transplantation held on 8-8-217. Extreme mean value (26.50 cm) for panicle length was noted for single plant hill-1, although lowest mean (22.50 cm) for panicle length was measured for four plant hill-1. The interaction of number of seedling hill-1 over transplantation date highest value (36.00 cm) of panicle length was noted for single plant hill-1; however shortest length (18.00 cm) of panicle was noted for four seedlings hill-1 (Table 2).

Spikelet fertility (%)

The maximum mean (90.11%) of transplantation date for spikelet fertility (%) was calculated for last transplantation date viz., 08-8-2017, whereas minimum (80.26%) values for spikelet fertility was recorded for 1st transplantation held on 18th July, 2017 (Table 3).

Number of grains panicle-1

The uppermost number of grains panicle-1 (107.67) was calculated for 1st transplantation date (18 July, 2017), however lowest values (83.00) for grain panicle-1 was noted for last transplantation held on 8-8-2017. As far as seedling density is concerned, the uppermost value (95.33) for number of grain panicle-1 was calculated for three plants hill-1, while smallest value (92.33) grain panicle-1 was noted for single plant hill-1. Regarding interaction between number of seedling hill-1 and trans-planting dates for number of grains per panicle. The uppermost number of grains per panicle (109.33) were calculated for three plant hill-1 under 1st transplanting date (18-7-2017), while lowest value (82.00) for number of grains panicle-1 was noted for single seedling hill-1 under 4th transplantation date 8-8-2017 (Table 3).

1000-grain weight (g)

Maximum 1000-grains weight (25.83 g) were reported in 1st transplantation date (18 July, 2017), while, lowest (20.83 g) weight grains were obtained in treatments trans-planted on last transplantation held on 8-8-2017 (Table 3).

Biological yield (kg ha-1)

The supreme biological yield (11532 kg ha-1) was noted for 1st transplantation date (18-7-2017), whereas lowest biological yield (10154 kg ha-1) was noted for last transplantation (8-8-2017). Maximum biological yield (11244 kg ha-1) was calculated for four plants hill-1, however the least values (10134 kg ha-1) for biological yield was noted for single plant hill-1. As far as the interaction among numbers of seedling hill-1 over transplantation date for biological yield (kg ha-1), is concaved the height value (11755 kg ha-1) for biological yield was noted for three plant hill-1 under 1st transplantation date (18-7-2017), whereas, lowest biological yield (9200 kg ha-1) was calculated for single seedlings hill-1 under fourth transplantation date at 8-8-2017 (Table 4).

Grain yield (kg ha-1)

Maximum mean value (4161 kg ha-1) for grain yield was noted for 1st transplantation date (18 July, 2017), whereas smallest value (3331 kg ha-1) for grain yield was calculated for last transplantation (8th August). The maximum mean value (4266 kg ha-1) for grain yield was calculated for three plants per hill however lowest values (2977 kg ha-1) for grain yield were calculated for single plant per hill. The interaction between of number of seedling per hill over transplanting dates for grain yield showed that maximum of grain yield (4700 kg ha-1) was noted for three plant hill-1 under 1st transplanting date on 18-7-2017, although, minimum grain yield (2540 kg ha-1) was noted for single seedling per hill under fourth transplantation date i.e., 8th of August (Table 4).

Harvest index (%)

The highest mean value (36.11%) for harvest index was recorded in 1st transplantation date planted on 18th July, however smallest value (32.73%) harvest index was calculated for last transplantation on 8th August 2017. Maximum value of plant density for harvest index (38.48%) was noted for three plants hill-1, whereas a smallest value (29.48%) for harvest index was calculated for single plant per hill. The interaction among number of seedling per hill and transplanting date for harvest index showed that maximum value (39.99%) was calculated for 3 plant per hill under first transplantation date of 18-7-2017, whereas lowermost (27.74%) harvest index was noted for 1 seedlings per hill under fourth transplantation date held on 8-8-2017 (Table 4).

Benefit cost ratio

In current work, the highest net return of Rs.107449/ha and benefit cost ratio (2.70) was found from rice transplanted on 18th of July, 2017 along with three seedlings hill-1. Whilst, lower most benefit cost ratio (1.51) & net amount of Rs.31149/- was obtained from rice transplanted on last date 8-8-2017 in arrangement with 1 plant seedling (Table 5).

Analysis of variance showed significant differences as affected by number of seedling hill-1, transplantation date, while number of seedling hill-1 and transplantation interaction indicated non-significant differences in Table 1 regarding flag leaf area. These results are supported by Ahmad et al. (2005) who findings showed significant outcome in flag leaf by the use of seedling densities and transplantation time. The increase in flag leaf area might be due to optimum density per unit area for rice (Baloch et al., 2012). Nangyal et al. (2016) also reported an increased leaf area by increasing density of plants. The mean value of number of seedling hill-1 over transplantation date ranged from 20.26 to 26.97 cm2 for flag leaf area also found significant difference of plant density and irrigation regimes for flag leaf area. The interaction between transplantation time and planting density remained non-significant. As there was no variation in interaction for plant density and transplantation date. The data regarding chlorophyll content (μ g cm-2) as presented in Table 1 clearly depicted a significant behavior for numbers of seedling hill-1, transplanting date and their interaction, Chauhan (2012), Khalifa (2009) also found significant differences of various transplantation dates for chlorophyll content and recommended early date of transplantation for more yield and chlorophyll content.

 

Table 1: Response of Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various Planting Dates and Seedling Densities on Physiological traits.

Flag leaf area (cm2)	Transplanting Dates	Seedling Densities				Mean
		P1	P2	P3	P4
	D1 (18-07-2017)	24.52NS	25.13	29.08	27.29	26.50 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	22.29	24.13	27.41	25.74	24.89 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	21.53	23.38	26.22	24.22	23.83 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	20.70	22.48	25.17	23.670	23.00 d
	Mean	22.26 d	23.78 c	26.97 a	25.23 b
Chlorophyll content (μ g cm-2)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	36.83 j	40.96 fg	46.00 a	44.13 bc	41.98 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	35.96 k	39.76 h	44.93 b	42.73 de	40.85 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	34.86 k	38.66 i	43.66 cd	41.43 f	39.65 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	33.70 l	36.13 jk	42.23 ef	40.60 gh	38.16 d
	Mean	35.34 d	38.88 c	44.20 a	42.22 b
Plant height (cm)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	134.67 bc	135.67 bc	144.33a	139.33 b	138.50 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	131.33 cde	132.33 cde	138.33 b	135.00 bc	134.25 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	128.33 d-g	128.00 efg	133.00 bcd	131.00 c-f	130.08 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	123.33 g	124.00 g	127.67 efg	125.67 fg	125.17 d
	Mean	129.42NS	130.00	135.83	132.75

 

Our findings are similar to Turin et al. (2021). They explained that chlorophyll content & other grain yield contributing parameters are seriously affected by planting densities & a-biotic stress. These results could well be due to optimum transplantation time (mid of July) for best chlorophyll contest. A significant difference was noted for plant density regarding chlorophyll content (Chutia and Borah, 2012). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences for transplantation dates and their interaction while number of seedling hill-1 indicated non-significant difference for plant height (cm) in Table 1. The increase in plant height might be due to optimum date of transplanting which increased over all crop growth duration and ultimate height of plant. The results plant densities on plant height remained non-significant (Wang et al., 2012). Vijayalaxmi (2016) also reported significant difference in plant height of rice as affected by various dates for transplantation. This may be due to extra vigor and root development because of extra leaf area which stimulates increased cell separation causing additional stem elongation (Asad et al., 2015).

Analysis of variance indicated significant as affected by number of seedling hill-1 and transplantation date the number of seedling hill-1 and their interaction on fertile tillers hill-1 (Table 2).

Biswas et al. (2015) also reported significant differences of different transplantation date for number of fertile tillers hill-1. This might due to the quick establishment of seedlings after transplantation because during uprooting they suffered minimal root injury along with minute root shock as well as death rate. These results are similar with the findings of Imran et al. (2015) who explained that earlier trans-plantation facilitated fertile tillers per plant. Baloch et al. (2006) found also significant differences of plant density for number of fertile tillers hill-1. The data about unfertile tillers hill-1 indicated that seedling hill-1 and transplanting date showed significant results while their interaction was found non-significant in spikelet fertility Table 3. Our research got support from the previous findings of Alam et al. (2012), Turin et al. (2021) who also found significant differences of transplantation date for unfertile tillers hill-1. The number of fertile tillers and unfertile tillers hill-1 is greatly affected quantitatively by the number of seedlings per hill. Optimum number of seedlings per hill may facilitate the rice plant to grow properly both in its aerial and underground parts. Excess number of seedlings per hill may produce higher number of tillers per hill. On the other hand, the lesser number of seedlings per hill may cause insufficient tiller number (Bhowmik et al., 2012; Islam et al., 2014).

 

Table 2: Response of Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various Planting Dates and Seedling Densities on Tillering and panicle length (cm).

Fertile tillers hill-1	Transplanting Dates	Seedling Densities				Mean
		P1	P2	P3	P4
	D1 (18-07-2017)	28.00 g	38.00 c	49.33 a	42.33 b	39.41 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	21.33 ij	29.00 fg	39.00bc	37.00 cd	31.58 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	16.66 k	24.00 hi	34.00de	32.00 ef	26.66 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	12.00 l	20.00 jk	28.00g	26.66 gh	21.66 d
	Mean	19.50	27.75 b	37.58 a	34.50 a
Unfertile tillers hill-1
	D1 (18-07-2017)	5.00 NS	7.00	7.33	6.00	6.33 d
	D2 (25-07-2017)	7.00	9.00	10.00	8.00	8.50 c
	D3 (01-08-2017)	9.33	11.00	12.00	10.00	10.58 b
	D4 (08-08-2017)	11.00	11.66	13.00	11.00	11.66 a
	Mean	8.08 c	9.66 ab	10.58 a	8.75 bc
Panicle length (cm)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	36.00 a	31.00 b	30.66 bc	29.00 c	31.66 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	26.33 d	25.00 de	24.00 ef	23.00 fgh	24.58 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	23.33 efg	22.00 ghi	21.33 hij	20.00 jk	21.66 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	20.33 ijk	19.00 kl	20.66 ijk	18.00 l	19.50 d
	Mean	26.50 a	24.25 b	24.16 b	22.50 c

 

Similar results were quoted by Lin et al. (2009) stating significant differences amongst different plant densities for unfertile tillers hill-1 in rice. The interaction between transplantation time and planting density remained non- significant. As there was no variation in interaction for plant density and transplantation date. The experiment indicated that seedling hill-1, transplanting date and interaction showed significant results about panicle length (cm) in Table 2. Presented significant results by sowing rice on different dates. Similarly, Gill et al. (2009) reported that basmati cultivars sown in July had significant positive effect on their yield. Similar result were quoted by Biswas et al. (2015) obtained highest panicle length from 4 seedlings per hill. As far as the interaction between both of the treatments is concerned, significant behavior was found for panicle of rice.

The data indicated that transplanting date showed significant results while seedling hill-1 and their interaction was found non-significant Table 3. Similar results were quoted by Hasamuzzaman (2009) who also reported significant difference amongst different transplanting date for rice spikelet fertility %. Similarly, the interaction between number of seedlings and transplanting dates also gave non- significant results in affecting spikelet fertility of rice. Seedling hill-1 and transplanting date showed significant results on Table 3. Faruk et al. (2009) also found significant differences of various transplantation dates for number of grains panicle-1. This might be due to suitable temperature and effective solar radiations received by the crop during its life cycle. Bozorgi et al. (2011) and Kostylev et al. (2016) confirmed that by using various transplanting dates, there was significant positive impact on number of grains per spike. Bhowmik et al. (2012) observed significant differences of rice planting density for number of grain pancle-1. Such variably in filled grains per panicle is estimated as number of filled grains per panicle is dependent on several factors, for example genotypes, cultural methods applied, top soil and growth environment of the rice crop (Baloch et al., 2006). During this study, cultural methods such as different planting time acceptable the crop to complete its whole life cycle in a large range of environment condition which might have influence on number of filled grains per panicle of the cultivar over the planting time. The interaction among number of seedling hill-1 and transplantation date remained non-significant. 1000-grain is an essential yield factor which determines final yield. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences for transplantation dates while non-significant difference for number of seedling hill-1 and their interaction in Table 3. The probable reason for minimal 1000 grain weight (g) is shortening of grain filling duration

 

Table 3: Response of Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various Planting Dates and Seedling Densities on yield components.

Spikelet fertility (%)	Transplanting Dates	Seedling Densities				Mean
		P1	P2	P3	P4
	D1 (18-07-2017)	82.75NS	82.83	80.54	75.13	80.31 b
	D2 (25-07-2017)	86.41	85.60	83.98	81.62	84.40 ab
	D3 (01-08-2017)	89.44	87.01	87.07	84.62	87.03 a
	D4 (08-08-2017)	92.94	91.34	90.47	87.32	90.52 a
	Mean	87.88NS	86.70	85.52	82.17
Grain panicle-1
	D1 (18-07-2017)	105.67	109.00	109.33	106.33	107.67 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	96.00	99.67	100.00	97.33	98.25 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	85.67	87.33	96.00	86.67	86.92 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	82.00	83.67	84.00	82.33	83.00 d
	Mean	92.33 b	95.00 a	95.33 a	93.16 b
1000 grain weight (g)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	28.00 NS	26.00	25.00	24.33	25.83 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	25.66	24.00	23.00	22.66	23.83 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	23.33	22.33	21.66	21.33	22.16 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	22.00	21.00	20.66	19.66	20.83 d
	Mean	24.75 NS	23.33	22.58	22.00

 

which reduced seed weight. Results supporting our findings were also quoted by Alam et al. (2012) and Hussain et al. (2013), who also suggested a significant performance of different transplantation date on 1000-grain weight (g) in rice.

Analysis of variance indicated seedling hill-1, transplanting date and interaction showed significant results about biological yield Table 4. Whereas transplantation dates had a non-significant effect on biological yield (kg ha-1). Safdar et al. (2008) reported significant influence of transplanting time on biological yield of rice. Rasool et al. (2012) corroborated our findings by showing significant results for biological yield. The increase in biomass yield may probably due to adequate plant density and suitable weather conditions which increased crop biomass under present combination Kobata and Uemuki (2014) recorded maximum biological yield with three seedlings per hill. Seedling hill-1 Grain yield data show similarity as in biological yield Table 4. The earlier transplanted rice took more time for growth, captured maximum sun light and resultantly maximum accumulation and transfer of photosynthetic towards economic yield (Khakwani et al., 2006). Islam et al. (2008) also intimated significant differences of transplantation dates for grain yield. Our results got support from the previous findings of Asbur (2013) who also elaborated that planting density in rice had positive influence on grain yield. Seedling hill-1, transplanting date and interaction showed significant results in Table 4 for harvest index. Similarly, Vimlesh (2007) also reported that earlier transplantation increased the harvest index in rice. Rahman et al. (2013) elaborated results identical to our findings. Similarly, Ghao et al. (2015) corroborated our findings and obtained highest harvest index for earlier transplanting, as harvest index is affected by the temperature provided to young seedlings.

Benefit cost ratio is the ratio of overall discounted net returns divided by the total cost (Table 5). The maximum the benefit cost ratio, the higher will be the profit. The value greater than one means more benefits and less expenditure. In present endeavor, the maximum net return of Rs.107449/- and benefit cost ratio (2.70) was obtained from rice transplanted on 18th of July along with 3 seedlings per hill followed by net return of Rs.96972/- and Benefit cost ratio (2.54) in treatment with three seedling transplanted on 25th of July. However, lowest benefit cost ratio (1.51) and net amount of Rs.31149/- was received from rice transplanted on last date i.e., 8th of August in combination with single plant seedling.

 

Table 4: Response of Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to various Planting Dates and Seedling Densities on economical yields.

Biological yield (kg ha-1)	Transplanting Dates	Seedling Densities				Mean
		P1	P2	P3	P4
	D1 (18-07-2017)	11000 a-d	11692 a	11755 a	11681 a	11532 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	10411 bcd	11104 a-d	11318 ab	11441 ab	11068 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	9925 de	10671 a-d	10807 a-d	11059 a-d	10615 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	9200 e	10212 cde	10407 bcd	10796a-d	10154 d
	Mean	10134 a	10920 a	11072 a	11244 a
Grain yield (kg ha-1)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	3511 fg	4000 cde	4700 a	4433 ab	4161 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	3033 hi	3759 ef	4411 abc	4226 bcd	3857 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	2822 ij	3515 fg	4104 bcd	3967 de	3602 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	2540 j	3267 gh	3850 def	3668 efg	3331 d
	Mean	2977 c	3635 b	4266 a	4073 a
Harvest index (%)
	D1 (18-07-2017)	32.15 dg	34.36 be	39.99 a	37.95 abc	36.11 a
	D2 (25-07-2017)	29.35 efg	34.04 bf	38.95 ab	36.93 ad	34.82 b
	D3 (01-08-2017)	28.66 fg	33.09 cg	37.98 abc	35.89 ad	33.91 c
	D4 (08-08-2017)	27.74 g	32.21 dg	37.00 ad	33.97 bf	32.73 d
	Mean	29.48 b	33.42 ab	38.48 a	36.19 a

 

Table 5: Benefit cost ratio/net return as received from combine use of seedling densities and transplanting time.

Treatments		Grain yield (kg ha-1)	Cost (Rs.)			Total Income (Rs.)	Net Income/Return (Rs.) T income/T cost BCR
Seedling densities	Transplanting Dates		Fixed Variable Total
P1	T D1 18th July	3511	50926	10000	60926	127273	66347	2.08
	T D2 25th July	3033	50926	10000	60926	109946	49020	1.80
	T D3 1st August	2822	50926	10000	60926	102297	41371	1.67
	T D4 8th August	2540	50926	10000	60926	92075	31149	1.51
P2	T D1 18th July	4000	50926	11000	61926	145000	83074	2.34
	T D2 25th July	3759	50926	11000	61926	136263	74337	2.20
	T D3 1st August	3515	50926	11000	61926	127418	65492	2.05
	T D4 8thAugust	3267	50926	11000	61926	118428	56502	1.91
P3	T D11 8th July	4700	50926	12000	62926	170375	107449	2.70
	T D2 25th July	4411	50926	12000	62926	159898	96972	2.54
	T D3 1st August	4104	50926	12000	62926	148770	85844	2.36
	T D4 8th August	3850	50926	12000	62926	139562	76636	2.21
P4	T D1 18th July	4433	50926	13000	63926	160696	96770	2.51
	T D2 25th July	4226	50926	13000	63926	153192	89266	2.39
	T D31st August	3967	50926	13000	63926	143803	79877	2.24
	T D4 8th August	3668	50926	13000	63926	132965	69039	2.07

Sale price of paddy=36.25/kg, Purchase cost of Urea=Rs.1300/bag, Purchase cost of SSP=Rs.900/bag, Purchase cost of SOP=Rs.5000/bag, Cost of hebicide (Rifit) =Rs.500/ 400 ml bottle, Cost of Insecticide (Vertaco) = Rs.1100/4kg bag

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

The results indicated that maximum grain yield (4700 kg ha-1) was obtained from 3 seedlings hill-1 transplanted on 18th of July. Therefore, it is recommended that for obtaining highest grain yield and maximum net profit, fine rice variety Super Basmati should be transplanted on mid of July along with three seedlings hill-1 under agro ecological conditions of Dera Ismail Khan.

Novelty Statement

Pakistan lying in that geographic area which is pound to climate change scenario and this climate change causes reduction in vegetative & economical yield of our summer crops like rice. Considering the importance of plant population with different planting dates in reclaiming the climate change in physiology of rice the present research is designed accordingly. From this research it is established that fine rice can be successfully produced in arid climates with reasonable quality and economic return if planted on proper time and density.

Author’s Contribution

M. Azam: Research Scholar.

Iqtidar Hussain: Research idea, research management and corresponding author.

Ghazanfar ullah: Supervised the article.

A.A. Khakwani: Co-Supervisor.

M.S. Baloch: Chairperson of department of Agronomy.

K. Waseem and M. Amjed Nadeem: Collected data, data entry in SPSS and analysis.

M.K. Javaid: Helped in management of field.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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