Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Soumya K, Seenappa C, Kalyanamurthy KN, Jayadeva HM, Sathish A and Manjunatha R

Abstract:
At the Agronomy Field Unit, ZARS, GKVK, Bengaluru, during the kharif 2021–22 and 2022–23, a field experiment titled "Improved Agro-techniques for sustainable Aerobic rice production in Northern dry zone of Karnataka" was carried out. The experiment was set up using a split-split plot design, with five nitrogen management strategies (N₁-Nutrient expert, N₂-Site specific nutrient management (SSNM), N₃-Green seeker, N₄-Nano urea, and N₅-RDN) as sub-sub plot treatments, mulching (M₀-without mulching and M₁-with mulching) as sub plot and two main plot treatments (S₁-Raised bed and S₂-Flat bed). Throughout the crop's life, drip irrigation was used to supply irrigation. The experiment is triple-replicated with twenty treatment combinations. The results of pooled data revealed raised bed recorded higher leaf area index (19.18 and 93.11 cm at 30 and 90 DAS, respectively), grain yield (5831 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7181 kg ha^-1) over flat bed. With polythene mulching treatment outperformed over without mulching by recoding higher leaf area index (19.81 and 95.78 cm at 30 and 90 DAS, respectively), grain yield (5999 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7364 kg ha^-1). Among nitrogen management practices, following Nutrient Expert advice recorded higher leaf area index (3316 cm² at 90 DAS), grain yield (6235 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7620 kg ha^-1) over other practices. On par results were recorded in treatment with SSNM which recorded leaf area index (3224 cm² at 90 DAS), grain yield (6014 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7461 kg ha^-1). Sustainable aerobic rice cultivation with raised beds, polythene mulching, and nitrogen control can be a promising way to address the challenges of modern agriculture, promoting both environmental and economic sustainability.