Optimizing mat quality and transplanter performance using soil mix with vermicompost and farmyard manure in paddy tray nursery: A sustainable smart farming approach in India

In order to improve transplanter performance and mat characteristics in mat-type paddy tray nurseries in paddy cultivation and to increase the paddy seedling quality and yield, a soil mix fertilizer with vermicompost and farmyard manure was optimized in different proportions. The investigation provides valuable insights for optimizing paddy cultivation practices, with emphasis on the potential of a specific treatment TC₇, composed of 50% vermicompost, 30% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, to contribute to more robust and productive paddy cultivation systems. The TC₇ treatment showed notable results, including highest average paddy seed germination (93.00 ​± ​2.24%), significant paddy seedling height (16.85 ​± ​1.72 ​cm), balanced root-to-shoot ratio (0.72 ​± ​0.013), robust seedling vigour index (1567.05 ​± ​121.45), substantial biomass production (0.481 ​± ​0.0010 ​g), and significant dry matter production (0.0422 ​± ​0.0029 ​g). The highest mat thickness of 28.10 ​± ​0.05 ​mm and the lowest mat weight per m² area of 22.30 ​± ​1.56 ​kg/m² was recorded in TC₄ treatment containing 44% vermicompost, 44% farmyard manure, and 12% soil. The highest rolling quality of the mat with a rolling score of 10.00 ​± ​0.027 in TC₈ treatment containing 30% vermicompost, 50% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, and the maximum mat strength of 54.90 ​± ​3.82 ​kg/m² in TC₁₀ treatment (soil alone). Mechanical transplanter performance exhibited superiority maximum planted hills per meter run (7 ​± ​1), optimum seedlings per hill (3), minimum occurrences of missing hills (1), and a maximum plant population per m² (116 ​± ​5) utilizing seedling mats prepared with TC₇ treatment. The highest grain yield of 4180 ​± ​449 ​kg/ha and grain straw ratio of 0.88 ​± ​0.0317 was recorded in the TC₇ treatment. Thus, this study recommends fine-tuning and adopting the TC₇ treatment combination to facilitate sustainable smart farming practices in India. Farmers are encouraged to consider implementing TC₇ treatment combinations to elevate the quality and productivity of paddy cultivation.