Potassium fertilization in rice (Olyza sativa) on vertisols of Godavari flood plains

Abstract

A 2-year field investigatpn was carried out at wetland farm of Maruteru during the winter (rabi) 1993-95 on th great Godavari plains. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) IR 64 responded to 60 kg &O/ha. Application of 40 at 40 kglha did not influence the yield and yield attributes when applied either as basal or at active tillering or in 2 equal splits (basal and panicle-initiation stages). However, 40 kg YOIha applied at panicle- initiation stage remarkably enhanced the yield over no K. This treatment was on a par with 60 kg \O/ha, irrespective of method of application. In general, K fertilization showed beneficial effect on grain filling and hawest index and reduced the duration of crop.