Effect of nutrient omission on growth and productivity of rabi rice Majumder Sitabhra, Shankar Tanmoy*, Maitra Sagar, Adhikary Rahul, Sairam Masina M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha-761 211, India *(e-mail: tanmoy.shankar125@gmail.com)
Online published on 2 August, 2023. Abstract Rice is a crucial cereal crop in India and globally, serving as a staple food for over 50% of the world's population. In India, rice-based cropping systems are prevalent in agriculture. As we know, rice, being a cereal crop, requires substantial amounts of nutrients, particularly primary nutrients. Effective nutrient management practices are crucial in modern-day farming. The application of primary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium greatly influences rice productivity. Additionally, secondary nutrients such as Sulphur (S) and micronutrients like zinc (Zn) can contribute to improved yield attributes and grain quality. To investigate this, a field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2021-22 at the Post-graduate Research Farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture in Gajapati, Odisha. The experiment employed the nutrient omission plot technique (NOPT) on sandy clay loam soil. The randomized block design included seven treatments with three replications. The treatments consisted of different combinations of N, P, K, Zn and S doses. The rice variety Naveen (CR 749-20- 2, IET 14461) was used, and the recommended doses of fertilizers (N-P2O5-K2O-Zn-S) were applied at 120-60-60-05-25 kg/ha, respectively. The nutrient omission technique significantly improved the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of rabi rice. Among the omission treatments, the application of 100% NPKZnS demonstrated superior results in terms of growth, yield and nutrient uptake, while the control treatment (no fertilizer) exhibited the lowest outcomes. Based on this study, it can be recommended that the application of primary nutrients is essential for obtaining optimum yields in rice crops. Additionally, the inclusion of micronutrients such as Zn and S can further enhance rice productivity and grain quality. Top Keywords Nitrogen, Omission plot, Phosphorus, Potassium, Rice, Sulphur, Zinc. Top |