Ideal management strategy to enhance potassium uptake and economic productivity in rice crop for small farmers
Author(s):
Garima Singh, Shambhu Prasad, Archana Kumari, Prithviraj Chauhan and Vibha Kumari
Abstract:
Potassium deficiency is now prominent in Indian agriculture soils and the current recommended rate of potassium application in crops is not sufficient enough to exploit its yield potential. The traditional practice of the basal application of full dose of potassium fertilizer results into the loss of potassium and its poor availability during peak crop demand. The study investigated the ideal potassium rate and method of its application suitable for small farmers for better crop production and economic productivity of rice. The experiment included three different rates of potassium application (i.e. 40, 60& 80 kgha-1) and four different methods of its application (i.e. 100% basal, 50% as basal + 50% as top dressing at MT, 50% as basal + 25% top dressing at MT & PI and 75% as basal + 2 spray application). The results showed that increase in application rate of potassium (80 kg ha-1) increased the content and uptake of potassium thereby enhancing growth and physiological characters resulting in better economic produce (net return 49439 ₹ ha-1 and B: C ratio 2.23). The application of potassium in split doses (basal + 2 top dressing or 2 spray) improved the potassium use efficiency and resulted in higher potassium uptake. It also advanced flowering and prolonged maturity time by 3-4 days resulting in quality grain production. Potassium application in split dose was found to useful for small farmers to obtain greater use efficiency of applied nutrient for quality produce and economic benefits.
How to cite this article:
Garima Singh, Shambhu Prasad, Archana Kumari, Prithviraj Chauhan, Vibha Kumari. Ideal management strategy to enhance potassium uptake and economic productivity in rice crop for small farmers. Pharma Innovation 2021;10(6):44-48.