Vol. 11, Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
Gayathri A, Usadadiya VP and Patel PB

Abstract:
The experiment was executed during summer 2019 at Main Rice Research Station, Navsari to assess the effect of different nitrogen levels in conjunction with biofertilizers along with banana pseudostem sap on hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) under south Gujarat. It was carried out in split plot design with three replications and sixteen treatment combinations comprises of four N levels (N₁:80, N₂:100, N₃:120 and N₄:140 kg N/ha) as main plots and four bio-fertilizer treatments (B₁:Control, B₂:Azospirillum, B₃:Azospirillum + PSB and B₄:Banana pseudostem enrich sap) as sub plots. Significantly maximum plant height, effective tillers hill^-1, LAI, CGR obtained with application of 140 kg N/ha. The same N rate also produced highest panicle length, panicles m^-2, panicle weight, grains panicle^-1, grain yield (4.60 t/ha), straw yield (5.57 t/ha) and harvest index of hybrid rice. Grain and straw yields were increased to the tune of 39.72 and 28%, respectively with 140 kg N/ha over lower N level: however, it remained at par with N₃. The Azospirillum + PSB inoculation registered significantly higher growth parameters, yield components and yields of hybrid rice over other tested biofertilizers. Azospirillum + PSB application increased the grain (4.52 t/ha) and straw (5.47 t/ha) yields to the tune of 31.39 and 22%, respectively over control (B₁). The N and bio-fertilizer interaction exerted significant effect on growth attributes, yield components and yields except plant height at 20 DAT, LAI, CGR and test weight. The maximum economic benefit was obtained with application of 140 kg N/ha along with Azospirillum + PSB.