Effect of irrigation scheduling and different levels of zinc and boron on yield, economics, water productivity and nutrient uptake in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

During the 2015 and 2016 kharif seasons, researchers in Chiplima, Sambalpur, Odisha, tested six distinct combinations of micronutrients in aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown under four distinct irrigation regimes. Due to optimal soil moisture and nutrient availability, applying irrigation after three rainless days produced the best grain production (4.05 t/ha) compared to all other treatments. Because of this treatment, the crop produced more grain per square meter (375.1), longer panicles, more full grains per panicle (108.5), and 26.23 g per 1,000 grains. Nutrient uptake, a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.88, and net returns of 30,316/ha were all best achieved by this method. Applying the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF, 80-40-40) kg/ha N, P2O5 - K2O + 5 kg Zn/ha + 0.2% B as a foliar spray in two applications resulted in the highest grain yield (4.24 t/ha) and other yield attributes, including tillers bearing panicles per square meter (391.1), panicle length (25.52 cm), filled grains per panicle (117.9), and 1,000-grain weight (26.17 g). Not only that, compared to the other treatments, it had the best net return (30,362/ha), benefit-cost ratio (1.89), and nutrient uptake. In the scenario of irrigation scheduling after three days without rain, the maximum water usage was 91.33 cm, while the lowest water productivity was 0.43 kg/m3. The maximum water productivity was seen in a foliar spray application of RDF (80-40-40 N, P2O5, and K2O Kg/ha) + 5 kg Zn/ha + 0.2% B, out of six different micronutrient levels. This spray was applied twice. increased production with little water use results in ductivity of 0.57 kg/m3. Statistical analysis did not reveal a significant interaction impact, nevertheless.