Effect of nursery fertilization on seedling growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the main campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Kashmir, during 2000 and 2001, to study the effect of fertility levels in rice (Oryza sa- tiva L.) nursery and ultimate effect on yield of rice crop. The seedling length, dry weight and seedling growth in- creased significantly by increasing fertility up to the highest level 200 N + 100 P20, + 50 K 2 0 kgtha. Yield and yield-attributing characters, i.e. grains1 panicle, panicles1 m2, and straw yield also recorded highest value at treat- ment 200 N + 100 P20, + 50 K 2 0 kglha in the nursery. Nitrogen content and uptake in nursery increased by in- creasing fertility levels but N recovery was very low in nursery. Higher fertilizer application in rice nursery in- creased benefit : cost ratio and grain yield of rice.