Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
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Date
2020
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DRPCAU, Pusa
Abstract
A field experiment entitled “Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted on sandy loam soil at experimental farm of TCA, Dholi (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa) (Samastipur), Bihar during kharif season, 2019.
The soil of the experiment field was calcareous in nature containing 32.3% free CaCO3, sandy loam in texture and alkaline in reaction with a pH of 8.21. It was moderately fertile being low in organic carbon (0.41%) and available nitrogen (184 kg N/ha) and also low in available phosphorus (10.23 kg P/ha) and potassium (103.21 kg K/ha). The experiment was conducted in randomised block design (factorial) which was replicated thrice taking the variety Rajendra Bhagavati as a test crop. The factors under study comprised of different ecological intensification practices and farmers practices: T1-Farmers practices, T2- Ecological intensification (E.I.), T3- E.I. minus tillage practices, T4-E.I. minus nutrient management, T5-E.I. minus planting density, T6-E.I. minus water management, T7-E.I. minus weed management and T8 E.I. minus insect and disease management. Standard package and practices of crop management were followed. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied as basal whereas urea was applied as
per treatment in three split doses as basal (50%), active tilleing (25%) and panicle initiation (25%).
The experimental findings revealed that ecological intensification had a profound influence on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of rice. Significantly higher values of growth parameters (tillers m-2 and dry matter production) were observed in rice. As a result, treatment T2 produced tallest plants at all the growth stages. However, T8 treatment found at par with the T2 treatment in all the growth stages. Most of the yield attributes (panicle length and grains panicle-1), yield (grain and straw), NPK uptake (grain and straw) were higher with T2 treatments. It was also found to be the most profitable treatment in regards to gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio.
Thus, it can be inferred that the ecological intensification practices is beneficial for realizing maximum economic benefits, higher productivity, reduced fertilizer use and improved soil fertility.