Effect of different combinations of organic materials and biofertilizers on productivity, grain quality and economics in organic farming of basmati rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during crop year of 2006 and 2007 to find out a suitable combination of organic materials and biofertilizers for organic farming of basmati rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with six replications. Treatments consisted of seven combinations of different organic materials and biofertilizers [control, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), FYM + wheat residue (WR), VC + WR, FYM + WR + biofertilizers (B) and VC + WR + B. FYM and VC were applied on nitrogen basis @ 60 kg/ha, whereas WR was applied at 6 t/ha. For biofertilizers, blue green algae, cellulolytic culture and phosphorus solubilising bacteria were used. Application of FYM or VC signifi- cantly increased growth parameters and yield attributes of rice over control which led to 23-34% increase in grain yield and 14-18 % increase in net profit but had no significant effect on grain quality of basmati rice. Combination of FYM + WR or VC + WR resulted in higher increase in growth and yield attributing characters of rice than FYM or VC alone and increased grain yield over control by 38-49% and net profit by 25-31%. The combinations of FYM + WR + B and VC + WR + B resulted in highest increase growth and yield attributing characters of rice and in- creased grain yield of basmati rice over control by 51-58%, and net return by 37-47%. These combinations were significantly superior to all other combinations in all the growth and yield parameters, yield, net profit and grain quality of basmati rice and thus hold a great promise in organic farming of basmati rice.