Effect of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) and soil fertility

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design during the rainy (kharif) season of 2012 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil quality and pro- ductivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The highest grain and straw yields (5.03 and 7.18 t/ha) were recorded under the treatments 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + S-Zn-B and 75% RDF + 25% N through sewage sludge, respectively. Application of S (40 kg/ha), Zn (5 kg/ha) and B (1.5 kg/ha) along with NPK (120:60:60) in rice in- creased plant height, tiller number, grain yield and 1,000-grian weight 22, 99, 62 and 22%, respectively, over the control, but did not show any significant increase in these parameters over 100% RDF. Initial trends indicated that application of Sesbania perhaps increased N, P, B and Zn in soil while inorganic S, B and Zn fertilizers had re- sidual effect in post-harvest soil.