Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of wet season rice (Oryza sativa) in Odisha.

The experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Central Research Station of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar on sandy loam, well drained upland lateritic soil. The experimental soil was low in organic carbon(0.43%), N (228 kg/ha) and K (122 kg/ha) and medium in available P (18 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments each replicated thrice. The test variety of rice, RGL 2538 (Vasundhara), was raised following the recommended package of practices. Application of 1/3 rd recommended dose (RD) of N each through chemical fertilizer; FYM and Azolla registered the highest plant height and leaf area index in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) as compared to other treatment combinations. Higher yield components (viz. number of panicles/ m 2 , number of filled grains/panicle) and grain and straw yield of rice were also achieved from the same treatment as compared to 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and control. This was at par with the application of 50% RDN as chemical fertilizer + 50% RDN either as dhaincha or Azolla . N and P uptake by rice was highest with the use of 1/3 rd N each as chemical fertilizer, FYM and Azolla , but higher K uptake was reported with application of 50% N as chemical fertilizer and 50% N as dhaincha. The highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment were achieved from rice supplied with 1/3 rd N each as chemical fertilizer, FYM and Azolla . Gross return and net return were significantly superior to that of 100 % chemical fertilizer alone. However, return per rupee investment was at par with that of sole use of chemical fertilizers due to lower cost of cultivation incurred in chemical farming practices.