Percolation and Evapotranspiration Rates of Rice Field as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management

A neld experiment on integrated nutrient management was initiated during 1980, involving 3 levels, viz. 0, 50 and 100 per cent recommended NPK (120, 50 & 40 kg ha⁻¹) through fertilizers, 10 t ha⁻¹ FYM, 13 kg blue-green algae applied singly and in conjunction under ricewheat and rice-winter maize cropping systems. In the 10th year of cropping, evapotranspiration and percolation rates of the rice field increased with increasing level of fertilizers and continuous use of FYM either separately or in combination. However, addition of blue-green algae reduced the evapotranspiration rate. With respect to growth stages, the rate of evapotranspiration was maximum in rice-wheat and in rice-winter maize cropping systems at milking stage and there after it decreased. The percolation rate was found to increase with lapse of time from planting of rice.