Productivity of rice in laterite soil in relation to nitrogen-sulphur interaction

Abstract

The research programme entitled “Productivity of rice in laterite soil in relation to nitrogen - sulphur interaction” was conducted mainly to study the nitrogen and sulphur availability and their interaction as influenced by organic manure sources, particularly straw incorporation in rice cultivation. The “Mineralization pattern of nitrogen and sulphur” was studied in pot culture experiment at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the rabi season (Mundakan) Sep 2007 – Feb 08. “Response of rice to nitrogen and sulphur mineralization from organic matter with varying C:N ratios” was studied in farmers field, Pudhunagaram, Palakkad during the rabi seasons (Mundakan) Sep 2006 – Feb 07 and Sep 2007 – Feb 08. The mineralization of nitrogen and sulphur from the organic materials was influenced by time after application. The straw incorporated treatment released noticeably lower amount of nitrogen and sulphur in the initial stages than no manure application. The early growth characters of rice such as plant height, tiller production and dry matter production were significantly lower in straw incorporated treatments. Straw incorporation followed by application of nitrogen and sulphur or both, did not make any significant change in growth pattern probably due to inadequacy or improper timing. Increasing levels of nitrogen and sulphur positively influenced the vegetative growth and yield. The interactive effects of manures × N/S were significant for several characters. Beneficial effects of higher nitrogen and sulphur with straw incorporation were less evident in the early stages and was pronounced in the later stages. Nitrogen application with cow dung showed better performance during vegetative stage, but declined towards harvest. The tiller decline was lower in the straw incorporated treatments than either cow dung applied or unmanured treatments. Yield attributing characters were significantly influenced by incorporation of straw and cow dung along with nitrogen and sulphur. Grain yield increased from 3432 kg ha-1 in the absolute control to 7085 kg in the straw + N90 + S30 treatment in first year and from 3657 kg to 7116 kg in the cow dung + N90 + S30 treatment in second year. The interaction effects of manures × N/S were more pronounced than N × S. Combined application of organic manures and nitrogen noticeably increased protein nitrogen and protein sulphur content. Most of the plant nutrients were positively correlated with each other and positively correlated with grain yield. N × Fe and S × Fe have showed significant negative correlation. Agronomic efficiency of nitrogen or sulphur (kg grain/kg nutrient applied) was not influenced by organic manure application. Apparent recovery of nitrogen as well as physiological efficiency of nitrogen was the highest in combination of organic manures with 45 kg nitrogen and 30 kg sulphur. The utilization or physiological efficiency was also highest (kg grain/kg nutrient taken up) for the above combination. Straw incorporation resulted in long term maintenance of soil fertility as evidenced by higher mineral nitrogen and sulphur in soil upto a period of 110 days. In sulphur deficient soil, sulphur fertilizers could increase the rice yield and the use efficiency of nitrogen. The finding of the study points to beneficial effects of rice straw left in the field after harvesting using combine harvesters. However 37 to 52 kg ha-1 less mineral N was observed in the straw incorporated soil during the 30 days after incorporation and 20 days after rice planting compared to cow dung, both incorporated at 10 t ha-1. If this deficit could be compensated by N added at appropriate time, the straw will be a better and cheaper source of organic matter than cow dung.