Impact of different row spacing and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The study investigated the effects of row spacing and nitrogen application on the growth and yield of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) during the Kharif season of 2024. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, using a Split Plot Design with four row spacings (20 × 15 cm, 25 × 15 cm, 30 × 15 cm, 35 × 15 cm) and three nitrogen levels (25, 50, and 100 kg/ha). The results revealed significant effects of row spacing on plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, grain yield, and straw yield. Results indicated that the treatment combination of 30×15 cm spacing with 50 kg N/ha was the most effective, achieving maximum plant height (67.6 cm), fresh weight (803 g/m2), dry matter accumulation (393 g/ m2), grain yield (5167 kg/ha) and straw yield (14,234 kg/ha).The study highlights the importance of balancing row spacing and nitrogen application for improving rice productivity, particularly under subtropical monsoon climates, and suggests that a combination of wider spacing and moderate nitrogen application offers optimal results for sustainable rice cultivation.