Performance of black rice varieties under integrated nutrient management practices in the Gangetic Alluvial Region of West Bengal

Abstract

Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) is well known for its superior nutritional quality and high anthocyanin content. A two-year field experiment (2023–2025) was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Farm, University of Calcutta, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, to evaluate the growth and yield of four black rice varieties under seven integrated nutrient practices using a factorial randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed significant varietal and nutrient effects on growth, yield attributes, and yield. The results demonstrated that varietal performance varied significantly across parameters, with Kalabati excelling in plant height, harvest-stage dry matter accumulation, and straw yield, while Chak Hao showed superiority in panicle length and test weight. Kaala Malliphulo consistently outperformed the other varieties in filled grains panicle⁻¹ and grain yield; therefore, it emerged as the most suitable variety for farmers in terms of grain productivity in the Gangetic alluvial region of West Bengal. Among the nutrient regimes, the application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha⁻¹ constantly surpassed all other INM treatments, producing the highest grain yield and straw yield, along with enhanced growth and yield attributes. However, further investigations are required under diverse agro-ecological conditions to confirm and refine these findings.