Residual effect of organics and direct effect of mineral nitrogen on rice (Oryza sativa L.) in two different textural soils

Nitrogen through organics and inorganics application is an alternate to maintain soil health and crop productivity in the rice cropping system. With this background, field experiments were conducted in farmer’s field at Kuttalam during 2012-2013, 2013-14 to evaluate residual organics and mineral nitrogen (100%N) on growth parameters and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) in sandy clay loam and clay loam soil. The treatments consisted of residual organics viz., composted coir pith (CCP), green manures (GM), sugarcane trash compost (STC), vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and FYM applied(100%N) and a combination of above residual organics with urea@50%N besides 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) and control. The results revealed that residual organics and urea recorded higher growth parameters like plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area index(LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate(RGR), net assimilation rate(NAR), No. of tillers/hill compared to their individual addition. The growth parameters were more under residual PM in combination with mineral nitrogen in both the soils. Residual PM + fertilizer nitrogen (100% N) recorded highest grain (4485, 4693 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6984, 5897 kg ha-1) in clay loam and sandy clay loam soils, respectively. The lowest grain(3292, 2993 kg ha-1) and straw yield(4998, 4003 kg ha-1) were recorded in residual GM + fertilizer (100% N) in both soils. Among organics alone, residual PM(100% N) registered highest grain yield (4025, 4048 kg ha-1) in both soils. It can be concluded that the application of poultry manure alone or in combination with N fertilizers enhanced the growth and improved soil health.

Physiological response and productivity of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) to iron fertilization in typic Ustifluvents soil

Aerobic rice is projected as a sustainable rice production technology for the immediate future to address water scarcity and environmental safety. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly iron is one of the main factors responsible for low productivity in aerobic rice. With this perspective, a field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field in 2022 at  Kuttalam,  Mayladuthurai district,  Tamilnadu, in sandy clay loam (Padugai Series – Typic Ustifluvents) to predict the response of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa) to iron nutrition. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with eleven treatments (Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) NPK only (control)(T1),  (RDF) + FeSO4  @ 25 kg ha-1 (SA) (T2),  RDF + FeSO4  37.5 kg ha-1 (SA)(T3),RDF+ FeSO4  @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA)(T4),  RDF+ FeSO4  @ 25 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T5), RDF+ FeSO4  37.5 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T6) , RDF+ FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + FeSO4 @ 1% (FS)(T7), RDF+ FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1(SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS)(T8), RDF+ FeSO4 37.5 kg  ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS)(T9), RDF+ FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS) (T10) and RDF + Seed priming 0.05M Fe-EDTA(T11)) and replicated thrice.  The results revealed that application of  FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (SA) + Fe-EDTA @ 0.5% (FS) with RDF recorded the highest growth and yield parameters and the highest grain (3438 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5078 kg ha-1) compared to other treatments including control. This study concluded that iron fertilization through the soil and foliar application could enhance aerobic rice productivity

Response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and nutrient uptake to nitrogen and boron fertilization in Typic Ustifluvents soil

Nitrogen and boron are necessary for the metabolic activities of rice for its growth. With this perspective, a field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field during 2020 at Kuttalam, Mayladuthurai district, Tamilnadu in sandy clay loam(Padugai Series – TypicUstifluvents) to predict the response of rice (Oryza sativa) to different levels of nitrogen(N) and boron (B) application. The treatments consisted of Factor A- Nitrogen levels, 0, 75, 150, 225 kg ha-1 and Factor B- Boron levels 0, 1.5, 3.0 kg ha-1. Fifteen treatments were conducted in a Factorial randomised block (FRBD) design with three replications.  The test crop was rice with a variety ADT 46.    Concerning nitrogen alone, the highest grain (5344 kg ha-1) and straw yield was recorded in N3(225 kg ha-1). Among the boron levels tested, the highest grain (4695 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6509 kg ha-1) was registered in B1 (1.5 kg ha-1) in rice. The highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(88.2 kg ha-1), P(30.5 kg ha-1), K(105.0 kg ha-1) and B(172mg kg-1)  were recorded in N3B1. Among the N alone, the highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(78.1kg ha-1, P(26.3kg ha-1), K (95.8 kg ha-1) and B(156.6 mg kg-1) in N3. Concerning B alone, the highest nutrient uptake viz., N(60.5, kg ha-1) , P(17.8kg ha-1) K(74.9 kg ha-1) and B(112.1mg kg-1) were registered in B1 over other B levels. The highest grain (5631 kg ha-1) was recorded in N3B1 (225 kg N ha-1 and 1.5kg B ha-1) than other interactions. The study concluded that applying nitrogen and boron is required to achieve the maximum yield of rice in sandy clay loam soil

Effect of polyhalite and muriate of potash on quality attributes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Inceptisols

Polyhalite is a hydrated sulphate evaporate mineral containing potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium that crops require in significant quantities but has limited evaluation as a fertilizer for sugarcane.The sugarcane crop has a high demand for potassium for better quality. To keep the above facts in mind, the present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of polyhalite and muriate of potash (MOP) on the quality attributes of sugarcane var. Co 11015 (Atulya) in sandy loam soil at Arachalur, Erode district. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design consisting of ten treatments. The treatment included were T1 –control, T2 - 50% K as MOP, T3 - 100% K as MOP,   T4 - 100% K as Polyhalite, T5 - 100% K (1:1 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP), T6 - 100% K (1:3 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP),   T7 - 150% K as MOP,   T8 - 150% K as Polyhalite, T9 - 150% K (1:1 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP), T10 - 150% K (1:3 ratio of Polyhalite and MOP). The application of potassium fertilizers in different levels and ratios significantly (5%) influenced the quality attributes of sugarcane. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of 150% K (169.5 kg K2O ha-1) as polyhalite (T8) recorded maximum brix, pol, purity, CCS%, and extraction% and also this treatment was recorded minimum reducing sugar and fibre%. The present experiment would be helpful to sugarcane farmers for quality improvement through the application of polyhalite as a potassium fertilizer.

Performance of Stress Indices in Assessing High Yield Potential of Rice Genotypes in Sulfur Deficient Soil

Aim: To recognize the rice genotypes based on stress indices which would give higher yield both under sulfur stress and non-stress conditions. Design Factorial Randomized design with two factors Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted in the farmers field( Chidambaram and Kuthalam in Tamilnadu, India and during Kharif season ( June to September , 2009) Methodology: Field experiments were conducted in two soils Kondal series (Typic Haplusterts- Vertisol) and Padugai series (Typic Ustifluvents- Entisol). The treatment details are factor A–S levels ( 0 & 10 mg S kg-1) applied through gypsum and Factor B- Rice genotypes (ADT 43,CO 47,ADT 39,CO 43,ADT 42,ASD 19,ADT 36,ADT 37,ADT 38 and CO45). The yield data from two soils was used to calculate for each genotype 1) Stress tolerance (TOL) 2) Mean productivity (MP) 3) Geometric mean productivity (GMP) 4) Stress susceptibility index (SSI) and 5) Stress tolerance index (STI). Results: Grain yield varied significantly (P=0.05) among rice genotypes regardless of S treatments. Without added S treatment CO 43 (4865 kg ha-1) and CO 47 (5025 kg ha-1) produced highest grain yield and ADT 36 (3437,3775 kg ha-1) produced lowest yield in Kondal and Padugai series, respectively. Stress susceptibility index (SSI) and stress tolerance index (TOL) was associated with low yield under S sufficient condition. But stress tolerance index, mean productivity (MP) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) was able to identify top yielders both under S stress and non stress situations because of very strong correlation with yield. Accordingly best performers based on STI under both S stress and non- stress were ADT 43, CO 47, ADT 39 and CO 43