Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 019.
*Corresponding author: (E-mail: kunduchaity@gmail.com)
A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2005 and 2006 at Baruipur to evaluate the effect of foliar nutrition of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2 on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Gangetic alluvial land. Foliar application of 0.406% Ca(NO3)2 followed by 0.50% KNO3 during 50% flowering stage increased the growth parameters and yield attributes which ultimately resulted in higher grain yield than foliar spray of 0.25 and 1.00% KNO3 and 0.203 and 0.812% Ca(NO3)2 and water spray. Foliar spray of 0.406% Ca(NO3)2 resulted in maximum grain yield (5.47 t/ha), net returns (Rs 14,733/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.38). Hence foliar spray of 0.406% Ca(NO3)2 should be practised to obtain maximum grain yield and net monetary returns from rainfed lowland rice in West Bengal.
Calcium nitrate, Foliar application, Potassium nitrate, Rice, Yield
