Growth and yield of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Pusa Basmati-1728 as influenced by different levels of nitrogen and bio-inoculants

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019-20 at Agricultural research farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to study the growth and yield of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Pusa Basmati-1728 as influenced by different levels of nitrogen and bio-inoculants. The investigation was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with five nitrogen levels 100% RDN as inorganic source (IS), 75% RDN (IS) + 25% RDN as FYM, 50% RDN (IS) + 25% RDN as FYM, 25% RDN (IS) + 25% RDN as FYM and Control (0 kg ha-1) with three combinations of bio-inoculants (Azospirillum, Azospirillum + Pseudomonas fluorescence and Azospirillum + Pseudomonas fluorescence + BGA) with fifteen treatment combinations replicated thrice. Rice cultivar Pusa Basmati-1728 responded well to application of 75% RDN (IS) + 25% RDN as FYM to achieve higher yield. Substitution of 25% of RDN as FYM resulted in better growth and yield compared to the application of entire nitrogen as inorganic source (100% RDN). Combined use of Azospirillum + Pseudomonas fluorescens + BGA is best suited for maximizing the growth and productivity of basmati rice. The treatment combination of 75% RDN (IS) + 25% RDN as FYMalong with combined use of Azospirillum + Pseudomonas fluorescens + BGA proved most beneficial to achieve higher yield.