Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive years of 2006 and 2007 to study the integrated nutrient management for increasing productivity of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.). Data revealed that different sources of integrated nutrient management significantly increased growth and yield attributing characters of hybrid rice than applications of inorganic fertilizers. Application of 100% SSNM (150 : 30 : 120 : 50 : 40 kg NPKS ZnSO(4)/ha)+5t FYM/ha+BGA+Azotobacter produced significantly higher grain and straw yields of hybrid rice than 100% RDF (150 : 75 : 60 : 25 kg NPK ZnSO(4)/ha) and farmers' practice (80 : 30 kg NP/ha) by 20.9 and 9.60 and 35.40 and 20.8%, respectively. 100% SSNM produced also significantly higher grain and straw yields of 75.29 and 84.62 q/ha than farmers' practice by 25.9 and 14.10%, respectively. Combined application of inorganic, organic sources of fertilizer and biofertilizers recorded significantly higher harvest index than 100% RDF and farmers' practice. Significantly higher gross (Rs. 66665/ha) and net returns (Rs. 37215/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.26) were recorded with the application of 100% SSNM+5 t FYM/ha+blue green algae+Azotobacter as compared to farmers' practice. Application of 100% SSNM+green manuring ranked second best treatment for producing significantly highest growth and yield attributing characters, yield and gross return of hybrid rice than farmers' practice. Farmers' practice recorded lowest growth and yield attributes, yield and economics of hybrid rice.