Precision nitrogen management in aerobic system for maximising paddy (Oryza sativa L.) yields: A review

The main food crop in India is rice; it is typically farmed using poor plant nutrition management, mostly in flood-prone areas. In order to maximize crop and water productivity against the backdrop of dwindling water resources, crop science research has recently made strides that are focused on water saving rice technology and appropriate nutrient management strategies employing locally accessible, affordable fertilizer sources. This is done to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and the environment. Presently, the growing rice in aerobic conditions is significant challenge due to limited nutrient availability. With reduced soil moisture, nutrient uptake is hindered by lower rates of delivery to the roots through mass flow and diffusion. Nitrogen, being one of the most essential nutrients, plays a critical role in enhancing the growth and yield of aerobic rice and also the Indian soil already deficit of nitrogen. However, applying too much or too little nitrogen is ineffective, particularly under alternate wetting and drying conditions. To maximizing the rice growth, root development, yield, and nitrogen uptake in aerobic systems through the method, timing and quantity of nitrogen application must be carefully considered. Based on discussed reviews on different studies, it is concluded that applying of nitrogen is an optimum quantity with three to four equal splits can maximize the plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate, dry matter production, number of tillers/m2, root length, root volume, number of panicles/m2, number of filled grains/panicle, panicle length and yield of aerobic rice.