In:
The Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 128, No. 3 ( 1997-05), p. 291-297
Abstract:
Seventy-seven adaptive research trials were conducted, with the
participation of local farmers, on their fields during the 1993 and 1994 wet seasons (southwest monsoon seasons) in
the warm subhumid tropical zone on the west coast of India. The objective of the trials was to
compare the agronomic and economic benefits of an improved management consisting of placing urea briquettes containing
diammonium phosphate (UB–DAP) by hand (56 kg N/ha and 14 kg P/ha) after controlled
transplanting using a modified 20×20 cm hill spacing with two other practices: (i) the current
management system, consisting of random transplanting and two split applications of prilled urea
(PU) and a basal application of single superphosphate (SSP) and (ii) the farmers' traditional
management practices, involving random transplanting and broadcasting of fertilizers. In spite of
marked variations in rainfall distribution patterns during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, the improved
management using UB–DAP increased grain yields by 2·14 t/ha (89%) in 1993 and 1·23 t/ha (45%)
in 1994 over traditional management practices and by 1·56 t/ha (52%) in 1993 and 0·83 t/ha (27%)
in 1994 over the current management system. These additional yields were obtained at a 28–36%
lower plant population density (25 hills/m 2 v .
35–39 hills/m 2 ). The use of a modified 20×20 cm
spacing could reduce by up to 50% the labour normally required for the conventional placement of
UB by hand about 1 week after transplanting using the standard 20×20 cm spacing (8–10
workdays/ha). The estimated value: cost ratios for the improved management ranged from 4·9 (1994)
to 8·6 (1993) and increased further when the savings in seed input were considered. Stochastic
dominance analysis of the yield data suggests that the improved management of UB–DAP could be
risk-free and therefore would be preferred over the other two managements by rice farmers and policy makers.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0021-8596
,
1469-5146
DOI:
10.1017/S002185969600411X
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
1997
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1498349-7
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