Yield, nutrient uptake, quality and economics of rice (Oryza sativa) as influenced by crop establishment methods and nitrogen levels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop options through different crop establishment methods and optimize nitrogen fertilizer to maximize yield and profit. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2016 at Agronomy Research Farm, College of Agriculture, N.D. University of Agriculture and technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India to find out the best crop establishment method and the optimum nitrogen dose for obtaining higher yield of rice. The treatment consisted of three methods of establishment (M1-transplanting, M2-SRI and M3-direct seeding) were kept in main plots and five nitrogen levels (N0-0 kg N/ha, N1-40 kg N/ha, N2-80 kg N/ha, N3-120 kg N/ha and N4-160 kg N/ha) in sub plots with three replications on silt loam soils having low organic carbon (0.43%) and nitrogen (160 kg/ha), medium in phosphorus (16.50 kg/ha) and potassium (260.0 kg/ha). The results revealed that the SRI Methods gives higher yield and profit as compared to other crop establishment methods. The highest number of panicle/m2, length of panicle, number of grains/panicle, test weight, straw yield, grain yield and harvest index, gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio was recorded under SRI method of crop establishment with the application of 160 kg N/ha. The nitrogen uptake and its contents in rice (both in grain and straw) were found maximum with SRI method with the application of 160 kg N/ha while the lowest nitrogen uptake and its contents in rice (both in grain and straw) were found under direct seeding method with control. The highest gross return (Rs. 106698.4), net return (Rs. 72329.7) and Benefit-Cost ratio (1: 2.1) were recorded with treatment combination SRI method with the application of 160 kg N/ha (M2N4). Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that SRI method is a better establishment method of rice because it produces more yield and gross monetary economic return with 160 kg N/ha than other methods and nitrogen levels. The crop establishment method and nitrogen management practices significantly influenced the yield of rice in this climate scenario.