Effect of varieties and nitrogen management on nematodes infestation and productivity of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa)

Influence of integrated nitrogen application and varieties under aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) was evaluated during wet season of 2010 at New Delhi. Treatment included four rice varieties viz., ‘Jaldi Dhan 13’; ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’; ‘Anjali’ and ‘Pusa 834’ and four nitrogen (N) application options including N control (N₀), recommended dose of N (120 kg N/ha) through urea and two combinations (60:60 and 90:30) of urea and vermicompost (VC). Results showed that ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’ superseded other varieties in growth and yield parameters. Maximum grain yield (3.98 t/ha) was recorded with 90 kg N through urea + 30 kg N/ha through VC. ‘Anjali’ showed maximum tolerance to root knot nematodes, while ‘Pusa sugandh 5’ was most susceptible. N application through chemical fertilizer significantly reduced the nematode population over control. Highest net returns (61,885/ha) obtained from ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’ and 90 kg N (urea) + 30 kg N (VC)/ha (61,273/ha).