Integrating Nitrogen Levels and Green Manuring for Sustainable Basmati Rice Production

Nitrogen is a vital macronutrient critical for plant tissues and development, making a substantial contribution to the synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll and other essential cellular components. Green manuring, combined with varying nitrogen levels, provides an integrated approach to enhancing soil health and enhancing nutrient cycling. This study evaluates the influence of green manuring and various amounts of nitrogen were studied on the basmati rice for crop production, concerning on growth, grain yield.

The field experiment was conducted during the kharif season 2023 at LPU, Punjab. A split-plot experimental design was used, with three replications for each treatment. The experimental treatments include four main plots: M₀: Control (no green manuring), M₁: Sesbania aculeata, M₂: Crotalaria juncea, M₃: Vigna unguiculata and four sub plots: N₁: 0 kg ha^-1, N₂: 15 kg ha^-1, N₃: 30 kg ha^-1, N₄: 45 kg ha^-1.

A significantly greater plant height (cm), number of tillers m^-2, dry matter accumulation (q ha^-1), number of effective tillers plant^-1, number of grains panicle^-1, length of panicle (cm) and grain yield (q ha^-1) was recorded (39.7 q ha^-1) under the execution of S. aculeata and with the 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (45 kg ha^-1). The findings suggest that incorporating green manuring accompanied by optimal nitrogen levels enhances soil fertility, stimulating plant growth, increases basmati rice yield. These practices are fundamental for sustainable crop production and should be integrated into holistic nutrient management to ensure long-term agricultural productivity.