Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during 2006 to 2008 to find out the impact of management techniques on the performance of rice, to determine the differences in plant physiology, population development and yield formation in the humid tropics. Four crop management techniques each with two alternatives were investigated viz., crop establishment (planting of 10 days old one seedling per hill verses 20 days old two seedlings per hill); spacing (25 x 25 cm verses 20 x 15 cm); irrigation (intermittent irrigation versus continuous flooding); weed control (cono weeding versus manual weeding) and farmers practice was taken as control. The experiments were laid out in completely randomized factorial design with one control replicated thrice. Results of the study revealed that age, number of seedling and spacing are the major factors deciding the growth and development of rice under Kerala conditions. Planting of 20 days old two seedlings at 20 x15 cm is the best management practice for increased growth and yield development of rice compared to planting of 10 days old one seedling at 25 x25 cm. Performance of rice with respect to growth, development and yield formation was significantly less under farmers practice compared to other management practices. In places of water shortage, intermittent irrigation can be practiced with out affecting the yield and cono weeding is a feasible cost-effective technology for areas of labour shortage.