Impact of transplanting dates on productivity and profitability of rice hybrids under lowland conditions

Rice is a vital staple crop for food security. In Himachal Pradesh, low productivity poses a challenge despite its significance as a primary food crop. This study was conducted to enhance productivity by identifying optimal transplanting windows and evaluating hybrid performance under specific agroecological conditions to address increasing demand. A practical investigation was executed during the kharif season of 2020 at the Agronomy Department Experimental Farm, located in CSK HPKV at Palampur (H.P.) to assess the effects of varying transplanting dates on the growth parameters, economic viability, and overall yield of rice cultivars. The experimental framework utilized a split-plot design, replicated thrice, encompassing a total of twelve distinct treatment combinations. The principal plot (main plot) was delineated by three transplanting dates, specifically the second, third, and fourth week of June, whereas the sub-plot incorporated four rice cultivars, comprising an inbred variety, HPR 2143, and three hybrids Arize Swift Gold, Arize 6129, and Arize AZ 6508. The results derived from this study unequivocally indicated that the transplantation occurring in the third week of June yielded significantly higher yield attributes, prominently featuring an effective number of panicles m-2 and grain count panicle-1. These enhanced yield traits finally converted into higher grain yield along with straw yield. The same also became the most remunerative date as it showed a superior B: C ratio, higher net return, and gross return. When tested, every hybrid outperformed the inbred check by a wide margin. Arize AZ 6508 outperformed the other hybrids in terms of effective panicles m-2, grains panicle-1, and 1000-grain weight. Consequently, the hybrids yielded higher grain and straw yield, in addition to gross return, net return, and B : C ratio. Therefore, the third week of June is when the rice hybrids should be transplanted. Out of all the hybrids tested, Arize AZ 6508 is also the most productive.