Effect Of Planting Methods On Yield And Yield Components Of Rice Oryza Sativa L. Varieties In Tahtay Koraro Wereda Northern Ethiopia

Abstract The experiment was conducted in 2009 2001 E.C production season at Tahtay Koraro Wereda in Northern Ethiopia. The objective of the experiment was to study the effect of planting techniques on yield and yield component of six rice varieties. The experiment was designed in a factorial RCBD design in three replications. Seedlings of the six rice varieties were raised on nursery before the onset of rain and transplanted when the rain came. The spacing between rows was 25cm and the spacing between plants was 15cm in transplanting whereas no distinct spacing was in the direct sowing treatments. Data on plant height panicle length number of fertile tillers per plant grain yield days to maturity were collected and subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat 13th ed. statistical software. Grain yield was significantly p0.05 different with planting methods with the highest grain yield 46.6 Qtha obtained from the variety NERICA-3 grown under transplanting when compared with the least 31.3 Qtha from NERICA-4 under direct sowing. The highest grain yield obtained under transplanting might be due to the highest number of tillers and vigor plant stand as a result of less competition for growth resources and due to the crops maturity period before the cessation of rain. In addition to increasing the number of fertile tillers per plant transplanting shortened the length of growing period after the onset of rain. The results observed in this experiment indicate that transplanting of seedlings is important in areas with Dryland agro-ecological conditions where late onset and early cessation of rain occurs. In areas prone to moisture stress rice production through transplanting ensures early maturing and better grain yield when compared with direct sowing especially for varieties with more than 3-4 months growing period. Hence planting of rice seedlings when there is enough moisture in the soil could be indispensably important for farmers to increase their production and thereby ensure their food security and food self-sufficiency.