Crop Establishment Techniques and Silicon Supplementation to Improve Nutrient Dynamics and Yield Performance of Fine Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) in Irrigated Subtropical Agro-Ecosystems
摘要
Rice production in India faces increasing pressure from labor shortages, water scarcityand declining nutrient use efficiency. To overcome these emerging constraints, resilient and resource efficient agronomic practices are needed for maintain sustainable crop productivity.This study assessed interactive influence of silicon (Si) nutrition and crop establishment methods on nutrient dynamicsand yield performance of fine rice raised under irrigated subtropical conditions. Field experiment was carried out in split-split plot design and replicated thrice. Treatments consisted of two establishment methods (transplanted rice and direct seeded rice, four Si levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg Si ha⁻1) and two microbial inoculants (Bacillus mucilaginosusand Pseudomonas fluorescens). Experimental results revealed that transplanted rice recorded higher yield and nutrient uptake ascompared to direct-seeded rice. 90 kg Si ha⁻1 significantly improved grain yield and silicon uptake by grain and straw of rice crop.