Contribution of Sesbania species to yield and nitrogen nutrition in lowland rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

A 2-year field experiment on a Mollisol at Pantnagar showed that rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield obtained in treatments, viz. green-manuring of Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers.; syn. S.aculeata Pers. (6,399 kglha in 1991 and 5,284 kglha in 1992) or Sesbania rostrata Brem. (6,518 kgtha in 1991 and 5,371 kgha in 1992), was equivalent to 90 kg Nha (6,309 kgiha in 1991 and 5,204 kgha in 1992) as prilled urea (PU) applied in splits. The yield levels obtained in the above treatments were at par with higher dose of N (120 kg Ntha) as PU in splits or green-manuring + additional dose of N (45 kgha). Yield increase was attributed to significant variations in number of panicles1 m2, 100-grain weight and N uptake by the crop. These yield attributes and rice yield had a significant correlation with wet soil NH,+-N which increased by green-manuring with Sesbania.