Effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and productivity of four high-yielding rice varieties of Eastern India

Aim: To investigate the integrated nutrient management in agricultural fields using cow dung manure and poultry manure as organic, and NPK as inorganic fertilizer at varied ratios. Methodology: Four rice varieties were selected for the experiment viz., MTU 1010, IET 4786, IET 17430, and IET 9947 under nine organic manure and inorganic fertilizer combinations in different ratios with one control treatment. The cultivation was carried out in three replications in a randomized complete block design. The biometric observations were noted at 30, 55, and 80 days after transplant (DAT). Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), and grain yield were calculated for the varieties under varied treatments. Results: Biometric observation and growth indices confirmed that the treatment T (3) showed the highest value among all other treatments for shoot length, dry matter, LAI and LAD for all varieties. Treatment T- 7 recorded the maximum root length. For CGR treatment T-2 and T-3 recorded highest value for different varieties. Soil nutrient results suggest that treatment T (2) -T (4) and T (6) -T (8) showed the highest N, P and K content. The results showed significant difference (p<0.05) in grain yield for all the treatments in all varieties, where T (3) recorded the highest value. Interpretation: The year experiment revealed that integrated nutrient application resulted in considerably greater growth and productivity compared to the control and 100% inorganic fertilizer -treated cultivation.