EFFECT OF SPLIT APPLICATION OF NITROGENON THE YIELD OF RICE CROP

Abstract

A three year field study was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura to find the most suitable nitrogen application schedule for rice (Super Basmati) during Kharif 2012, 2013 and 2014. Randomized complete block design with 3 replications was employed to investigate 4 different treatments of nitrogen split application @ 140 kg ha^-1 viz: T₁= Puddling and tillering, T₂= Puddling, tillering and panicle initiation, T₃= Tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stage and T₄= Puddling, tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stage. Nursery of rice was transplanted in 2^nd week of July each year. Paddy yield and all yield associated parameter of rice super basmati were significantly affected by treatments and highest of all of them were recorded when nitrogen was applied in 3 equal splits i.e. at puddling, tillering and panicle formation stage. In conclusion, nitrogen @ 140 kg ha^-1 in 3 equal splits (puddling, tillering and panicle formation), is the most suitable combination of nitrogen splits to obtain higher paddy yields under agro-ecological conditions of Sheikhupura, Pakistan