Effect of nitrogen application schedule through integration on nitrogen use efficiency and yields of basmati rice in Typic Ustochrept soil

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during kharif 2014 to investigate the nitrogen use efficiency and yield of basmati rice under different schedule of nitrogen application through integration. To this effect ten treatments consisting various nitrogen scheduling were tested in a randomized block design with three replications. Remarkable effect was noted where growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers), yield attributing traits (panicle length and number of grains per panicle), yields viz., grain and straw yield and nitrogen use efficiency (agronomic efficiency, apparent N recovery and physiological efficiency) were improved with the application of 37.5/50% basal N through dhaincha and rest 47.0/37.5% at maximum tillering and 15.5/12.5% at panicle initiation, through urea. Even though, significantly highest grain (42.98 q ha -1 ) and biological yield (140.87q ha -1 ) was registered under the application of 50% N as basal through dhaincha + 37.5, and 12.5% N as through urea, at maximum tillering and panicle initiation respectively as compared to all other treatments. While, higher straw yield (105.34 q ha -1 ) was produced under combined application of 37.5% N as basal through dhaincha + 47.0, and 15.5% N as through urea, at maximum tillering and panicle initiation respectively. Thus, 50% N as basal through dhaincha + 37.5, and 12.5% N as through urea, at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, respectively, is best option for achieving maximum yield and nitrogen use efficiency.