Evaluation of different nutrient management practices on the performance of rice hybrid during dry season

A field experiment was conducted during the dry seasons of 1999 and 2000 to find out suitable nutrient management strategies for hybrid rice. Application of 200:100:80 kg N:P:K ha-1 along with 10 tonnes of farm yard manure maintained nitrogen concentration in plants throughout life cycle and produced the highest grain yield (8.1 t ha-1) and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in hybrid rice, but was comparable with fertilizer level of 150:75:60 kg N:P:K ha-1 applied along with 10 tonnes of farm yard manure. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased with increasing level from 150:75:60 to 200:100:80 kg N:P:K ha-1. The application of 150:75:60 kg N:P:K ha-1 (K 60% as basal and 40% at maximum tillering stage) significantly increased grain yield and uptake of N, P and K than whole amount of K applied as basal. The K applied 60% as basal and 40% at maximum tillering stage reduced sterility percentage of hybrid rice. In absence of farm yard manure, application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 found to be beneficial for increasing nitrogen and zinc concentration in plants and grain yield of hybrid rice grown during dry season.