Influence of transplanting date and nitrogen management on productivity of paddy cultivars under variable environments

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of transplanting date and nitrogen split application on yield and yield components of two paddy cultivars at Faisalabad, Kala Shah Kaku and Gujranwala during 2004 and 2005. Paddy yield responded to transplanting date and nitrogen split application that varied widely among sites and cropping years. The highest yield (4-5 t ha ^-1) was obtained when the rice crop was transplanted earlier in the season. Paddy yield was also significantly increased when nitrogen was applied in 2 or 3 splits as compared to full application. Yield increases were attributed to number of panicles and grains per unit area. It was concluded that a greater than 5 t ha^-1 paddy yield would be a reasonable commercial expectation for all the locations provided early transplanting of rice with better management of nitrogen could be established.