Application of Slag Based Gypsum in Rice Crop and Its Effect on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Availability in Acidic, Neutral and Alkaline Soils

Gypsum as a nutrient source has been used in agriculture for many years. Slag-based gypsum (SBG) is a synthetic gypsum prepared from by-product of steel industry. A pot culture experiment was conducted to know the effect of SBG on growth, yield and nutrient availability of rice in three different soils (acidic, neutral and alkaline soil) under controlled condition of greenhouse. The experiment consisted of five various (300, 450, 600, 750 and 900 kg ha(-1)) levels of SBG along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (100: 50: 50 as N: P2O5: K2O kg ha(-1)) and one RDF and Absolute control) with three replications using complete randomized design (CRD). The results indicated that the growth parameters viz. plant height, number of tillers and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) and yield attributes (panicle length, number of panicles and test weight) of the rice crop were mostly enhanced with the application of 750 kg SBG ha(-1). Application of SBG recorded strong positive correlation between the nutrient uptake and total yield of rice. pH and Electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil increased linearly with the application of graded levels of SBG and recorded higher with the application of 900 kg SBG ha(-1) in all three soils. Among the three soils, acidic soil was found to perform better in terms of growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of rice with application of SBG. Further long-term trial may be necessary to study its effect in different soils under field condition.