SAYAN GHOSH, LALICHETTI SAGAR*, M. DEVENDER REDDY AND RANJEET SINGH BOCHALAYA
Department of Agronomy and Agroforestry, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of
Technology and Management, Gajapati-761 211 (Odisha), India
*(e-mail: lalichetti.sagar@cutm.ac.in; Mobile: 70065 05360)
(Received: January 5, 2026; Accepted: March 2, 2026)
ABSTRACT
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple crop vital to food security, particularly in Asia, yet its productivity
remains low, especially in Southern Odisha. The conventional transplanting method is labour-intensive,
costly and highly susceptible to climate change. In this context, Dry Seeded Rice (DSR) is gaining
attention as a resource-efficient and climate-resilient alternative. However, the absence of standing
water in DSR system leads to accelerated nitrogen losses, making nitrogen management critical for
improving growth and yield of rice. To address this challenge, the present research was laid out in split
plot design comprising four methods of establishment in main plot (broadcasting, line sowing, hill
sowing and transplanting without piddling) and four nitrogen levels in sub plot (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N/
ha) which were replicated thrice. The results indicated that grain and straw yield, nitrogen content in
grain and straw as well as nitrogen uptake in grain, straw and total were not significantly influenced by
methods of establishment. However, nitrogen levels had a significant influence on the above-mentioned
parameters with the highest values recorded by 120 kg N/ha which was on par with 80 kg N/ha both in
terms of grain and straw yield. Therefore, application of 80 kg N/ha irrespective of methods of
establishment could be the most optimum nitrogen level to achieve sustainable productivity in dry-
seeded rainfed lowland rice.
Key words: Dry seeding, methods of rice crop establishment, nitrogen levels, rainfed lowland rice