Effect of cultivars and nutrient management practices on growth, yield attributes and yield of rice in system of rice intensification

A field experiment was conducted at the Directorate of Rice Research Farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2010. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design replicated thrice with three rice varieties (Vasumathi, Krishnahamsa and KRH-2) and with six nutrient management practices [100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer; 75% RDN (inorganic) + 25% RDN (organic) through vermicompost; 50% RDN (inorganic) + 50% RDN (organic) through vermicompost; 25% RDN (inorganic) + 75% RDN (organic) through vermicompost; 100% RDN (organic) through vermicompost; Control (No manure and no fertilizer)] under System of Rice Intensification (SRI).). The results revealed that hybrid KRH-2 performed better in terms of growth and development of the crop, yield components resulting in significantly higher grain and straw yields. Among the different nutrient management practices, application of 50 percent recommended dose of nitrogen (through urea) and remaining 50 percent RDN through vermicompost resulted in significantly higher growth parameters and yield attributes consequently resulting in highest grain and straw yields. This was followed by 100% RDN (inorganic) and 75% RDN (through urea) + 25% RDN (organic) through vermicompost treatments.