Periodic Nutrient Availability, Nitrogen use Efficiency and Yield of Basmati Rice Under Different Scheduled of Nitrogen Application Through Integration in Light Textured Soil

Abstract

A fi~ld .t~ial ~as conducted during kharif 2014 to investigate the periodic nutnent avatlabalaty, nitrogen use efficiency and yield of basmati rice under different schedule of nitrogen application through integration. To this effect ten treatments consisting various nitrogen scheduling were tested in a randomized block design with three replication. The area lie at a latitude of 29° 40' North and longitude of 77° 42' East with an elevation of 237 meters above mean sea level. The soil of the experimental field was well drained, sandy loam in texture (sand 52.3 %, silt 28.2 %, clay 19.5 %) and slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 8.03). It was low in available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus and available potassium with an electrical conductivity (1 :2.5, soil: water extract) of 0.11 dsm-1 • The data on growth, yield and its contributing traits were calculated on plot area basis (20 m2 ), whereas content, uptake of nutrients at various stages and NUE along with available N, P and K were recorded as per the standard procedure. Remarkable effect was noted where growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers), yield attributing traits (panicle length, number of grains per panicle and test weight), yields viz., grain, straw and biological, NUE (agronomic efficiency, apparent N recovery and physiological efficiency) and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were improved with the application of37.5/50% basal N through dhaincha and rest 47.0/37.5% at maximum tillering and 15.5/12.5% at panicle initiation, through urea. Although, this treatment also noticed imminence improvement in soil available N, P, K and organic carbon. Moreover, significantly highest grain ( 42.98 q ha-1) and biological yield (140.87q ha-1) was registered under the application of 50% N as basal through dhaincha + 37.5, and 12.5% N as through urea, at maximum tillering and panicle initiation respectively as compared to all other treatments. While, higher straw yield (1 05.34 q ha- 1) was produced under combined application of3.7.5% N as basal through dhaincha + 47.0, and 15.5o/o N as through urea, at maxtmum tillering and panicle initiation respectively. Thus 50% N as basal through dhaincha + 37.5, and 12.5% N as through urea, at maximum' tillering and panicle initiation, respectively, is best option for achieving maximum yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Besides, it will also improve soil health.