Influence of Green Manuring and Zinc Fertilization on Quality Parameters of Basmati Rice

Abstract

The effects of summer green manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on quality of basmati rice during summer rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 (kharif, April–November) were evaluated in field experiments at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Quality parameters of basmati rice (viz., physical, biochemical, and cooking quality parameters) increased significantly as a result of summer green manure crop residue incorporation over summer fallow treatment. Incorporation of Sesbania aculeata green manure crop residues led to significantly greater protein (8.44 percent mean of 2 years) and amylose content (25.78 percent mean of 2 years). Zinc fertilization using 2 percent Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) recorded the greatest values for these parameters and also for hulling (73.8 percent mean of 2 years) and milling (62.4 percent mean of 2 years). Zinc fertilization using 2 percent ZEU and incorporation of Sesbania aculeata green manure crop residues also recorded the greatest values for all quality parameters related to cooking quality such as length and breadth of grains before and after cooking. Soil microbiological parameters and yield showed significantly high positive correlations with quality parameters. The 2-year field study clearly demonstrated the benefits of summer green manure nitrogen (N) and Zn enrichment for improving the biochemical, physical, and cooking quality parameters of basmati rice.