Response of basmati rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to zinc fertilization

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (July November) seasons of 2013 and 2014 at New Delhi to evaluate the effects of varieties and zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield attributes, yields and economics of basmati/aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.). Among the varieties, 'Pusa Rice Hybrid 10' had the highest yield attributes, viz. dry matter accumulation (DMA), panicle length and their weight, and grain weight (g)/panicle leading to the highest grain yield (5.67 t/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.04). 'Pusa Rice Hybrid 10' led to a significant increase in grain yield which was 17.1, 21.2, 30.0, 39.3 and 88.4% higher than those of 'Pusa Sugandh 5', 'Pusa Basmati 1509', 'Pusa Basmati 1121', 'Pusa Basmati 1401' and 'Pusa Basmati 1460', respectively. 'Pusa Basmati 1509' rice showed the highest fertility percentage (87.6), 1,000 -grain weight (27.7 g) and the lowest chaffy grains/panicle, followed by 'Pusa Basmati 1121' and 'Pusa Sugandh 5'. Among the Zn fertilization practices, 1.25 kg Zn (Zn-EDTA) + 0.5% foliar spray (FS) at maximum tillering (MT) and panicle initiation (PI) stages was found to be best for most of the yield attributes, grain (4.65 t/ha) and straw (7.87 t/ha) yields and gross returns (147.3 x 10(3) (sic)/ha). A strong positive correlation (r(2)=0.91-0.97) was also observed between yield attributes (effective tillers/hill, fertility percentage and grains/panicle) and yield of rice. From net returns and benefit: cost ratio viewpoint, application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha (ZnSO4.7H(2)O) + 0.5% FS at MT and PI proved better and gave the highest net returns. 'Pusa Rice Hybrid 10' or 'Pusa Sugandh 5' and 'Pusa Basmati 1509' in conjunction with 1.25 kg Zn/ha (Zn-EDTA) + 0.5% FS at MT and PI significantly improved yield attributes, leading to enhanced productivity of basmati/aromatic rice.