To study agronomic and economic evaluation of Diverse Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars under transplanting systems in the Kymore Plateau Region of Madhya Pradesh

Introduction

Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) is a premier cereal crop globally, serving as a cornerstone for food security and rural livelihoods. In India, it stands as the principal Kharif crop, deeply intertwined with the agrarian economy. Within the state of Madhya Pradesh, Satna District-geographically positioned in the northern-central terrain-emerges as a vital agro-ecological zone for rice cultivation. Falling under the Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills agro-climatic zone, agricultural production in Satna dictates the socio-economic index of over 70% of its rural populace. For these farmers, paddy is not merely a subsistence crop but the primary driver of seasonal employment and cash flow. Geographical and Argo-Climatic Profile of Satna Topography and Location: Satna is situated on the Vindhyan Plateau at an average elevation of 318 meters above mean sea level. The undulating topography creates a unique micro-climate that dictates localized water-holding dynamics. Climate and Rainfall Vulnerability: The district experiences a sub-tropical climate. Paddy production heavily depends on the South-West monsoon, with the district receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,100 mm. However, in recent years, erratic monsoon onset, prolonged dry spells, and shifting precipitation patterns have heightened the climate vulnerability of the crop in this region. Soil Texture: The soil matrix of Satna is highly diverse, dominated by mixed red and black soils (Mar and Kabar) alongside rich alluvial pockets along the basins of the Tamas (Tons), Satna, rivers. The clay-rich fractions in these soils provide the high water-retention capacity structurally required for traditional wetland rice ecosystems. Agricultural Significance and Statistical Overview Average Share Satna commands a significant share of the total paddy footprint in Madhya Pradesh, contributing roughly 5.70% of the state's total rice area. The crop is sown across an estimated 73,000 to 75,000 hectares during the Kharif season. The Productivity Paradox While the area under cultivation is expansive, the perhectare productivity (yield) historically lags behind the national average. This regional yield gap stems from localized resource constraints, a lack of assured irrigation, and sluggish technology adoption rates, making the district a critical subject for agricultural research Core Agronomic Challenges in Satna District Groundwater Depletion Canal-based irrigation systems remain highly restricted in Satna. Consequently, over 75% of the irrigated paddy fields rely on groundwater (tube wells and open dug wells), leading to a steady and alarming decline in the local water table. The "Rice-Fallow" Constraint: A widespread operational bottleneck is the cultivation of long-duration paddy varieties (>125 days). These delays harvesting, drains residual soil moisture, and leaves substantial acreage uncultivated (fallow) during the subsequent Rabi season. High Input Costs Traditional manual transplanting requires extensive labor and continuous standing water, both of which drastically escalate the cost of cultivation for resource-poor farmers Rationale of the Study investigating the structural mechanics of paddy cultivation specifically in Satna District is essential to understanding how smallholders navigate resource scarcity and climate shifts on the Vindhyan Plateau. This research evaluates localized variables-ranging from input management to the adoption of water-saving alternative technologies like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)-to provide actionable insights for boosting crop yield and ensuring sustainable regional development.

Materials and Methods

The field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2025 at the Instructional Agricultural Farm of Krishi Prakshetra, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Majhgawan, Satna, Madhya Pradesh. The site is geographically situated in the Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills agro-climatic zone of Madhya Pradesh. The climate of the region is typically sub-tropical semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The average annual rainfall ranges between 1000 mm and 1100 mm, which is predominantly received through the South-West monsoon. The soil profile of the experimental field across the 10-hectare agricultural farm was classified as medium black clay loam. Soil chemical analysis revealed a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (7.2 to 7.6), low available nitrogen (N), medium available phosphorus (P2o5), and high available potassium (K2O) status.

Experimental Design and Treatment Details

To systematically fulfill the objective "To study Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Diverse Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars Under Transplanting Systems in the Kymore Plateau Region of Madhya Pradesh", the field trial was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The experiment comprised seven distinct paddy genotypes evaluated as treatments (T 1 to T 7 ) replicated three times to isolate and control directional soil heterogeneity across the experimental blocks. The systematic breakdown of treatments is presented in Table 1.

Seed Treatment and Nursery Establishment

Prior to sowing, seeds were subjected to a floating density test in a 10% brine solution (Nacl) to eliminate light-weight, chaffy, and diseased seed fractions. Sunken, high-viability seeds were thoroughly rinsed with clean water and subjected to an integrated chemical seed treatment consisting of Carbendazim 50% WP @ 2.0 g/kg and Streptocycline @ 0.1 g/kg of seed to prevent seed-borne fungal and bacterial pathogens (such as Blast and Bacterial Leaf Blight). Treated seeds were sown using the wet-bed nursery technique on raised seedbeds enriched with well-decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM).

Crop Establishment and Transplanting Layout

Land Preparation: Main plots within the 10-hectare agricultural farm were dry ploughed using a tractor-drawn disc harrow, followed by flooding, mechanical puddling, and wooden planking to secure an even, level surface for precise water management. A uniform chemical nutrient rate of 120:60:40 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O of was applied. Full phosphorus, potassium, and a basal dose of Zinc Sulphate (Znso4) @ 25 kg/ha) were incorporated during final puddling. Nitrogen (via Urea) was supplied in three equal splits: 1/3 resources as basal, 1/3 at active tillering, and 1/3 at the panicle initiation stage.

Transplanting Schedule

Weed Suppression

Pre-emergence application of Pretilachlor 50% EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha was deployed 3 days after transplanting, accompanied by one supplementary hand weeding at 30 days after transplanting (DAT).

Irrigation Control

Continuous shallow submergence (3.0cm to 5.0cm) was maintained from transplanting till the grain dough phase. Draining was executed 10 days prior to final harvesting to ensure uniform panicle maturity.

Morpho-Physiological and Yield Observation Points

To evaluate treatment responses accurately within the RBD framework, non-destructive and destructive sampling was performed at regular growth intervals. Five representative plants were randomly tagged from each replication plot to record the parameters outlined in Table 2. Mass (g) of 1,000 randomly selected, sun-dried grains.

Final Yield Indices Grain Yield Cleaned grain weight per net plot, converted to quintals per hectare (q/ha) Straw Yield Dry straw mass per net plot, converted to quintals per hectare (q/ha)

Economic Calculations and Benefit-Cost (B:C) Ratio

The total cost of cultivation includes expenses for seed, land preparation, nursery raising, transplanting, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, labor, and harvesting operations. Cost of cultivation parameters was standardized at Rs 59,000.00 per hectare for high-yielding varieties (T 1 , T 2 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 ) and adjusted to Rs55,000.00 per hectare for specialized premium fine/scented varieties (T 3 , T 7 ) due to differences in seed and nutrient dynamics. Economic performance and treatment efficiencies were analyzed mathematically using standard agricultural indices: Gross returns (/ha) = Grain yield X market prize +Straw yield X market prize Net returns (/ha) = Gross returns -total cost of cultivation

Results and Discussion

Morpho-Physiological Growth Parameters

The genetic diversity among the seven evaluated paddy cultivars significantly influenced all monitored phenotypic and physiological parameters (Table 3).

Plant Height Trends

Scented fine cultivars (T 3 , and T 7 ) grew significantly taller than standard breeding lines. (T 3 ) (PB-1895) exhibited the maximum mature height (128.6cm) driven by genetic configurations common to Basmati selections. The shortest heights were recorded in the early line(T 1 ) (CO-55)

Tiller Production

High-yielding bold/coarse cultivars achieved significantly higher tiller counts per hill. The absolute maximum was recorded in (T 4 ) (Kranti) with (15.2) tillers /hill closely followed by(T 2 ) (JR-206). Fine-grain aromatic cultivars (T 3 , T 7 ) expressed significantly fewer tillers.

Crop Phenology

Sowing cycles showed clear deviations. (T 1 ) (CO-55) was identified as a highly efficient short-duration line, maturing in just (112days) Conversely, the specialty cultivar (T 7 ) (Bauna Doobraj) required the longest reproductive window, taking (142days) to reach full maturity.

Yield Attributes and Biological Yield Fractions

Yield parameters and biological harvest allocations differed significantly among cultivars under uniform nutrient regimes (120:60:40 kg/ha N: P2o5: K2O)

Economic Evaluation and Monetary Advantage

Economic performance was calculated using current local market rates for the Kymore Plateau region. Standard coarse rice was priced at ₹2,300/q, premium Basmati type (T 3 ) at ₹4,200/q, and regional aromatic (T 7 ) at ₹4,500/q. Straw values were standardized at ₹200/q.

Economic Analysis and Benefit-Cost Configurations of Paddy Cultivars

Economic Drivers

High-yielding coarse varieties like T 4 generated high total biomass, but their lower market price limited net profitability. The lower initial input costs (₹55,000/ha) combined with high market prices for premium grains significantly improved net returns for scented selections. Net Profit and B:C Trends: The highest net returns were recorded for T 3 (PB-1895) at ₹99,560.00/ha, with a maximum B:C ratio of 2.81. This was followed closely by the regional premium variety T 7 (Bauna Doobraj), which achieved a B:C ratio of 2.76. Among coarse varieties, T 4 (Kranti) remained the most profitable option (2.39).

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations 4.1 Summary of Findings

The field experiment conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

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