​Influence of Iron Coated Seeds on Time of Sowing in Wet Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Background: Wet direct seeding technique in rice, which aims to realize labour saving in paddy rice cultivation, has continued to gain popularity in recent years. Because the work of raising and transplanting seedlings can be omitted, wet direct seeding can make an important contribution to labour saving. In wet DSR, iron coated seed that is, seed is coated with iron powder, which increases its weight so that seed settle easily in water and forms a tough coating that preventing birds from eating the seeds. Methods: Studies were conducted during the year 2018 and 2019 at the Department of Rice, TNAU, Coimbatore on influence of iron coated seeds and time of sowing in wet direct seeded rice. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. In main plot, different time of sowing at weekly interval viz., first, second, third and fourth week of August sowing, where as in sub-plot iron coated seeds broadcasting in 1-2 mm water level condition; iron coated seeds broadcasting in wet condition; uncoated seeds broadcasting in 1-2 mm water level condition; uncoated seeds broadcasting in wet condition and normal method of transplanting. Result: The results indicated that iron coated seeds of variety Swarna, broadcasting in 1-2 mm water level condition during the first fortnight of August sowing resulted higher grain yield (5653 kg/ha) when compared delayed sowing. The Fe coating significantly increased grain yield over non-coating. Iron coated seeds recorded lesser occurrence of pest and disese incidence when compared to un-coated seeds.