Effect of integrated and balanced nutrient application on soil fertility, yield and quality of Basmati rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for two years to investigate the effect of integrated and balanced nutrient application on soil fertility and the yields and quality of Basmati rice. The highest grain yield (16.7–18.2 q ha−1) of Basmati rice was recorded at 75% of recommended dose of N, P, K and Zn (75% RDNPKZn) level which was on a par with 75% of recommended dose of farmyard manure (75% RDFYM) in combination with 25% of recommended dose of N, P, K and Zn (25% RDNPKZn). Application of 75% RDNPKZn increased aroma score with a significant decrease in % hull and % head rice yield based on brown rice over control. Application of 45 kg N in three equal splits, 30 kg P2O5, 30 kg K2O and 37.5 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 was found to be the best to achieve higher grain yield of good quality Basmati rice with lower kernel degradation (Alkali Score) and higher aroma score; the properties which are considered to be the most important for table purposes. Multiple regression equations were developed to predict some quality parameters based on nutrient composition of index leaf (third fully opened leaf from the top at 45 d after transplanting) and grain.