Performance of Basmati rice under different methods of establishment and nutrient management

Abstract

Nutrient management is of utmost importance as nutrient availability, mobility in soil and uptake by rice plants are greatly influenced by the crop establishment methods. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at SKUAST-Jammu, Chatha, Jammu during kharif 2018 and 2019 to study the effect of different establishment methods and nutrient management practices on yield and nutrient uptake of rice, and soil fertility. Five establishment methods, viz. direct seeding, transplanting, system of rice intensification, aerobic and semi-dry direct seeding, and four nutrient management practices, viz. 100% RDF, 75% RDF + FYM (equiv. to 25% N, 150% RDF and LCC-based N application were tested in split plot design with three replications using rice variety Basmati 370. Results showed that different establishment methods and nutrient management practices significantly influenced the yield, nutrient uptake by rice, and soil fertility. The highest values for growth, yield attribute and yield were found under system of rice intensification followed by transplanting. The highest growth, yield attributes and yield were observed under 150% RDF. Similarly, SRI method along with LCC-based N application showed higher nutrient (N, P and K) uptake and improved soil fertility status.