Transplanting using rice transplanter is a cost effective technology. It is a promising technology in Bangladesh due to labor shortage during peak period of rice transplanting. We conducted two experiments in Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh in aman season (Sptember, 2012) and boro season (January, 2013) to find out suitable seedling raising materials for rice transplanter. Seedlings were raised on plastic trays using soil alone, 75% soil + 25% decomposed cow dung, 75% soil + 25% ash, 75% soil + 25% saw dust, 75% soil + 25% rice husk and 75% soil + 25% decomposed poultry manure. The sprouted and dry seed of BRRI dhan49 and BRRI dhan29 were sown for aman and boro season, respectively. The recommended seedling number (3 leaves per seedling) and suitable seedling height (12cm) could be achieved from 12 days old seedling in aman and 25 days old seedling in boro for transplanting using rice transplanter. Both sprouted and dry seeds showed satisfactory performance with soil media alone. Greener leaves, longer shoot and root length, more seedling vigor and strength, and better nutrient composition as well as field performance was obtained from seedling grown on soil media containing 25% cow dung or rice husk or poultry manure mixture. Using rice transplanter farmers could be saved US $ 5.0-9.0 per 33 decimal of land.
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