Effect of different nutrient management options on soil properties and performance of commonly grown basmati rice cultivars in Western Uttar Pradesh”

Abstract

To study the effectof different nutrient management options on soil properties and performance of commonly grown basmati rice cultivars in Western Uttar Pradesh, field experiments were conducted at Crop Research center of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and technology, Merrut during kharif season of 2020 and 2021. Soil of experimental site was low in organic carbon, available nitrogen, and medium in available phosphorus, potassium and zinc with slightly alkaline pH. The experiment was executed in split plot design with three basmati rice varieties in main plots and five nutrient options in sub plots. Basmati Rice variety V1 Pusa basmati, 1121, V2 Pusa basmati1509 and V3 Pusa basmati1718 were grown. Observations on different growth parameters yield and yield attributing characters, nutrient content, uptake, nutrient availability in soil at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest stage of rice were recorded. Data subjected to statistical analysis on which basis treatments effect were explained. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, CGR etc., yield attributing characters like effective tillers, length of panicle, filled/unfilled grain per panicle, fertility ratio, test weight etc grain, straw and biological yield of basmati rice crop were higher with the application nutrients in INM mode (T3 50% inorganic +50% organic) followed by application of nutrients through 100 % chemicals. Application of nutrients through 100% organic sources experienced about 10 % yield reduction as compare to 100% chemical fertilization (T2). Although application of jeevamrit did not showed any significant impact on growth and yield of the basmati rice but was able to increase microbial population in soil. The nutrient application in INM mode also improved the nutrient availability in soil during cropping period and could able to buildup residual soil fertility as compare to other treatments. Among the varieties best performance was recorded with Pusa basmati 1121 followed by Pusa basmati 1718 and Pusa basmati 1509. On the basis of two years experiments it may be concluded that 50% chemical fertilizers can be substituted easily with application of FYM, vermicompost, Poultry manure with additional benefit of improved soil health.