Agronomic Performances of a Rice Somaclone (RSC2018-1) with Potassium Split Applications

Abstract

RSC2018-1 is a rice somaclonal line derived from the local aromatic rice cultivar 'Benapole' with a substantially smaller grain size than the mother cultivar. During final field preparation, potassium fertilizer is typically applied in a single dose; however, several scientists have found that split doses of potassium are beneficial for increasing rice grain yield. Thus, the current study aims to assess the impact of potassium split treatments on yield and yield attributes of the rice somaclone RSC2018-1. The experiment was conducted at the experimental Field of Agrotechnology Discipline Khulna University (Southwestern Bangladesh) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 ( K: 41 kg ha-1 basal, RDK) (control), T2 (K: 50% RDK, basal), T3 (K: 75% RDK basal and 25% RDK 45 DAT), T4 (K: 50% RDK basal and 50% RDK 45 DAT), T5 (K: 25% RDK basal and 75% RDK 45 DAT), T6 (K: 25% RDK basal, 25% RDK 15 DAT and 50% RDK 45 DAT), T7 (K: 50% RDK basal; 25% RDK 15 DAT and 25% RDK 45 DAT). Various data on growth and yield attributes were recorded and statistically analyzed for ANOVA and the means were compared by Tukey’s test with the software Statistix10. The experimental results revealed that the split application of potassium was not very helpful for most of the parameters studied including grain yield and half of the recommended dose of potassium (T2) showed similar results to the recommended dose (T1) and the other treatments except T5. Thus it is recommended to apply potassium @ 20.5 kg ha-1 (T2: 50% RDF, basal) at the final land preparation for the rice somaclone RSC2018-1.