Effect of nitrogen, compost and plant growth promoting rhizobactria on yield and nutrient uptake by rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted in wet season of 2011 at New Delhi to study the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation in different combinations with N-levels through urea and compost on yield and nutrient uptake by basmati rice cv. ‘Pusa Basmati 1401’. Results showed that highest grain (5.02 t/ha) and straw (8.87 t/ha) yield was obtained with the application of 2/3N (80 kg N/ha) + bacterial inoculant (BI) + cyanobacteria inoculant (CI) + compost (5.0 t/ha). The uptake of N in grain (69.1 kg/ha) and straw (60.5 kg/ha) were the highest with the application of 2/3 N + BI + CI + compost (5.0 t/ha). Protein content in grain varied between 6.84% (N₀) and 8.20% (2/3 N + CI + BI + compost). Highest uptake of P, K, Fe, Zn and Cu in rice grain and straw were recorded with 2/3N + BI + CI + compost (5.0 t/ha). The nutrients uptake was significantly higher in integrated application than single inoculation of bio-inoculants.