Effect of foliar spray of water soluble fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of in inceptisol

Abstract

A field experiment in 2021 at RRTTS, Ranital, Bhadrak district, investigated the effects of water-soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) on rice crop growth. Results showed a positive influence over control on plant height, panicle length, and nutrient uptake, with higher growth parameters observed in treatments with WSF foliar spray compared to STD alone. The treatments with STD+2% FS of WSF at 30 DAT +2% FS of WSF at 45 DAT gave higher response in most of the yield attributing characters and significantly at par with the result obtained by75% STD+2% FS of WSF at 30 DAT +2% FS of WSF at 45 DAT. Foliar application of WSF significantly increased test weight, grain and straw yield of rice crop over control. The treatments with STD+2% FS of WSF at 30 DAT +2% FS of WSF at 45 DAT gave higher yield and significantly at par with the result obtained by 75% STD+2% FS of WSF at 30 DAT +2% FS of WSF at 45 DAT. There is an increase in 5.79% of grain yield by foliar spray of 2% WSF at 30 & 45 DAT+ STD over STD alone. The study found that the application of WSF with STD+2% FS of WSF at 30 DAT +2% FS of WSF at 45 DAT significantly increased the concentration and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in rice crops, influencing nutrient use efficiency, apparent nutrient recovery, and nutrient recovery, and maintaining favourable residual status. Fertilization of WSF maintained favourable residual status in terms of pH, organic carbon content available N, P and K.