Effect of potassium solubilizing bacteria and foliar application of potassium on uptake and nitrogen use efficiency in paddy (Oryza sativa) in coastal acid soils of Karnataka

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of potassium solubilizing bacteria and foliar application of potassium on uptake and nutrient use efficiency in paddy (Oryza sativa) in coastal acid soils of Karnataka” during the Kharif 2021 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS), Brahmavar, Udupi, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with eleven treatments replicated thrice. The experimental treatments included combinations of recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium along with soil application of KSB and foliar KCl. The highest concentrations of nitrogen (1.701%), phosphorus (0.536%), and potassium (1.523%) at 90 days after transplanting were observed in the treatment combining KSB and foliar KCl (T10). Nutrient uptake also followed a similar trend, with T10 showing the highest uptake of nitrogen (63.87 kg ha-¹), phosphorus (20.10 kg ha-¹), and potassium (57.31 kg ha-¹) in the grain, and nitrogen (43.11 kg ha-¹), phosphorus (26.18 kg ha-¹), and potassium (84.04 kg ha-¹) in the straw. The control treatment, which did not include KSB or foliar KCl, showed significantly lower nutrient concentrations and uptake. The findings suggest that the combination of KSB and foliar KCl enhances nutrient availability and uptake, promoting better growth and yield of paddy. This approach offers a sustainable solution to reduce chemical fertilizer usage while improving nutrient use efficiency in paddy cultivation.