*2.5. Fertilizer and Other Cultural Management*

In each season, a total of 60 kg ha−<sup>1</sup> of nitrogen (N) was applied in three splits: (1) Basal or before transplanting (30 kg ha<sup>−</sup>1), (2) 21–23 d after transplanting (DAT) or mid-tillering of crop growth stage (15 kg ha<sup>−</sup>1), and (3) panicle initiation (15 kg ha−1). Basal application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were also done at 30 kg ha−<sup>1</sup> each. Complete (14–14–14) and urea (46–0–0) fertilizers were used as source of N,P and K for basal application, whereas urea was used as a source of N during the crop growth period. All fertilizers were applied during flooded soil condition in all treatments. To keep the experiment field weed-free, preemergence herbicide (butachlor) was applied a few days after transplanting, and then spot hand weeding was done during the vegetative growth stage until a full canopy cover was achieved. Plants were also protected from pests and diseases using agrochemicals.
