Effect of nursery fertilization on seedling growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted at the main campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Kashmir, during 2000 and 2001, to study the effect of fertility levels in rice (Oryza sativa L.) nursery and ultimate effect on yield of rice crop. The seedling length, dry weight and seedling growth increased significantly by increasing fertility up to the highest level 200 N + 100 P₂O_s + 50 K₂O kg/ha. Yield and yield-attributing characters, i.e. grains/panicle, panicles/m², and straw yield also recorded highest value at treatment 200 N + 100 P₂O₆ + 50 K₂O kg/ha in the nursery. Nitrogen content and uptake in nursery increased by increasing fertility levels but N recovery was very low in nursery. Higher fertilizer application in rice nursery increased benefit: cost ratio and grain yield of rice.