Effect of zinc levels and moisture regimes on growth and nutrient uptake of direct seeded rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2017 in Split Plot Design with three replications at Crop Research Centre of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, and Bihar. The treatments consisted of four moisture regimes in main plots and four zinc levels in sub plots. The result showed that maximum dry matter production (966.27 g/m2), crop growth rate (13.05 g/m2/day), straw yield (47.07 kg/ha), total uptake of N (63.71 kg/ha), P (17.48 kg/ha)K (76.59 kg/ha)& Zn (214.61 g/ha)by crop were found to be maximum with I1 moisture regime which were significantly superior overI3and I4 but was statistically at par with I2 except total uptake of N which was significantly superior over I4 but was statistically at par with I2 and I3 but maximum WUE (33.29 kg/ha-cm)was obtained with I2 which was significantly superior over I1 and I4 but was statistically par with I3.. In context of sub plot treatments maximum dry matter production (955.32 g/m2), crop growth rate (12.91 g/m2/day), straw yield (46.42 kg/ha), WUE 33.80 kg/ha-cm), total N (65.06 kg/ha), K (75.80 kg/ha) and Zn (212.95 g/ha) uptake by crop found maximum with Z3 which were significantly superior over Z1but were statistically at par with Z2 and Z4, except total N uptake by crop which was significantly superior over Z1andZ4 but statistically at par with Z2, while maximum total P (16.11 kg/ha) uptake by crop were recorded with control plot which was significantly superior over Z3 but was statistically at par with Z2and Z4.