Abstract

                                Field experiment was carried out at wetland of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif (August-December) 2008. in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two establishment techniques (Direct planting system and drum seeding) and four levels of nutrient management practices (control (no manure), RDF, RDF+FYM and RDF+FYM+Biofertilizers). Direct planting system recorded higher root length, root volume, root mass density (RMD) and root length density (RLD) and higher number of white colour roots compared to drum seeding method of crop establishment. Application of recommended dose of fertilizers (1505050 NPK kg ha-1), FYM 12.5 t ha-1and biofertilizers (Azosphosmet @ 2 kg ha-1) + PPFM (pink pigmented facultative methylotroph) @ 5 l ha-1 enhanced the root length, root volume, RMD and RLD over other treatments under Direct Planting System when compared with drum seeding method. The white colour roots were also higher under DPS than drum seeding method due to higher aeration created by rotary weeding with wider spacing which ultimately resulted in higher grain yield in direct planting system than over drum seeding method of crop establishment.

Key words : Rice Direct Planting System, Drum seeding, Nutrient management