International Journal of Farm Sciences

Rakthasali, a traditional medicinal rice variety valued for its exceptional nutritional and therapeutic properties, is gradually disappearing due to the predominance of modern high-yielding varieties. Since standardized agro-techniques for Rakthasali are lacking, farmers often rely on inconsistent seed rates and nutrient management practices, leading to suboptimal performance. The present study was undertaken at the Integrated Farming System Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, to evaluate the influence of different seed rates and nutrient management practices on nutrient uptake and economic returns in Rakthasali rice. The experiment, laid out in a factorial RBD with three seed rates (60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) and four nutrient management practices, revealed significant effects of both factors on nutrient uptake at maximum tillering, panicle initiation and harvest stages. Seed rates of 80 and 100 kg per ha recorded significantly higher and statistically comparable nutrient uptake across all stages, outperforming the 60 kg per ha seed rate. Among nutrient management practices, FYM + NPK and FYM + neem cake resulted in the maximum and statistically similar nutrient uptake, followed by PGPR-based nutrition, while neem cake + Panchagavya recorded the lowest values. Interaction effects were non-significant. Economic analysis indicated that the highest benefit-cost (B-C) ratio was achieved in 80 kg per ha among seed rates and in 5 tonnes per ha FYM + 70:35:35 kg per ha NPK among nutrient treatments, with the combination 80 kg per ha seed + 5 tonnes per ha FYM + 70:35:35 kg per ha NPK producing the highest overall B-C ratio. The study establishes that a seed rate of 80 kg per ha along with FYM + NPK application is the most efficient and economically viable strategy for enhancing nutrient uptake and profitability in Rakthasali rice cultivation.