Evaluation of the effect of organic manure, inorganic fertilisers and bio-inoculants on plant growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The declining productivity of rice and deterioration of soil health associated with conventional rice cultivation necessitate the adoption of sustainable nutrient management strategies. Field experiments were conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Students’ Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, to evaluate the effects of organic manure, inorganic fertilisers and bio-inoculants on the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment comprised 18 treatment combinations arranged in a randomised block design with 3 replications, involving different combinations of inorganic fertilisers, organic manures and biofertilisers. The results indicated that among the various growth parameters, the maximum plant height (99.15 cm and 99.85 cm), number of tillers (409.4 m-2 and 412.25 m-2), dry matter accumulation (760.48 g m-2 and 764.34 g m-2) and leaf area index (4.32 and 4.37) were recorded during 2021–22 and 2022–23, respectively, under treatment T17 (100 % NPK + 5 t ha-1 FYM + Azolla 300 kg ha-1 + S 30 kg ha-1 + Zn 5 kg ha-1). These findings highlight the synergistic effects of integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources along with bio-inoculants. This integrated approach enhances crop performance, improves soil sustainability and ensures better economic returns, making it a promising strategy for modern rice farming systems.