Influence of bio-digester liquid and farmyard manure on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) in Cauvery Command Area of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons (kharif) of 2013 to 2016 at Mandya, Karnataka, to study the influence of bio-digester liquid (BDL) and farm yard manure (FYM) on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Cauvery Command Area of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Ten treatments comprising different levels of farmyard manure (7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 t/ha) and bio-digester liquid manure equivalent (75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha) and their combinations were compared with the control (no manures). Application of farmyard manure 12.5 t/ha + bio-digester liquid manure equivalent to 125 kg N/ha in 2 splits recorded significantly higher grain yield and net return/rupee invested (4.90 t/ha and 1.52 respectively) compared to the other applications. However, it was at par with application of farmyard manure 12.5 t/ha + bio-digester liquid equivalent to 100 kg N/ha in 2 splits (4.7 t/ha and 1.53 respectively). This increased yield in above treatments was mainly owing to increased availability of soil N (296.3 kg/ha), P₂O₅ (37.8 kg/ha) and K₂O (185.6 kg/ha). There was an increasing trend in the soil chemical properties, viz. soil pH (7.58), electrical conductivity (0.401 dS/m) and organic carbon content (0.41%) at the end of the fourth crop cycles as compared to initial level (organic carbon content: 0.345%, soil pH 6.85, electrical conductivity: 0.338 dS/m).