Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Indhirajith S, Gurusamy A, Subramanian E, Kannan P and Vellaikumar S

Abstract:
Traditional rice production is becoming popular among farmers due to its moisture stress tolerance and consumers’ preference. To increase the yield and improve the quality of traditional rice in a rainfed situation, a balanced supply of essential nutrients is essential. A field experiment was conducted during summer 2021in a split-plot design replicated thrice to study the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth and yield of traditional rice varieties under furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) system of rice cultivation. The treatment consists of different organic manures with stage specific microorganisms and inorganic fertilizers on different traditional rice varieties. Nutrient management practices (main plot) comprises of M₁- basal application of enriched FYM @ 0.75 t ha^-1 with stage specific microorganism, M₂- basal application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 with stage specific microorganisms, M_3- basal application of composted coirpith @ 5 t ha^-1 with stage specific microorganism, and M_4- application of 100% RDF (150:50:50 kg NPK/ha). Traditional rice varieties (sub plot) includes V₁-Seeraga samba, V₂-Mappillai samba, V_3-Sivappukavuni, V₄-Chinnar, V₅-Kullakar, V₆-Chithirakar. Stage-specific microorganisms were applied viz., stage 1-seed treatment with Azotobacter, Phosphobacteria and Bacillus subtilis (125ml ha^-1), stage 2- vegetative stage - soil application of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria @ 500ml ha^-1, stage 3-flowering - soil application of K bacteria @ 500ml ha^-1, stage 4-PPFM spray twice during flowering and 15 days after flowering @ 500 ml ha^-1. Mappillai samba produced a greater growth attributes and grain yield of 3019.67 kg ha^-1 among the traditional rice varieties tested. Application of 150:50:50 kg NPK ha^-1registered the highest grain (3042.0 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7402.4 kg ha^-1). Application of 150:50:50 kg NPK ha^-1 was found to be ideal nutreient management practice as it has enhanced the growth, physiological parameters and yield of traditional varities under FIRB system.