Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels on growth and yield of direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Nagaland conditions

A field experiment was conducted entitled “Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on growth and yield of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Nagaland condition” during the kharif period i.e., June-October 2018, in the experimental research farm of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University. Nine treatments comprising three levels of N (0, 50, 100 kg N ha-1) and three levels of P (0, 40, 80 kg P2O5 ha-1) were used. The study revealed that N2 (100 kg N ha-1), P1 (40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and interaction treatment T8 (100 kg N: 40 kg P2O5) had performed significantly better as compared to other levels and combination treatments in terms of growth and yield in rice crop. Application of N and P levels significantly increased plant height (cm), number of tillers, crop growth rate (g g-1 day-1) and relative growth rate (g g-1 day-1). The highest grain yields (3687.96, 3687.96, 4442.42 kg ha-1) were recorded with N2, P1 and T8. Maximum straw yield was recorded with treatment levels of N2 (7394.96 kg ha-1), P2 (6531.29 kg ha-1) and T8 (8284.06 kg ha-1). The HI (%) was recorded highest with N2 (33.42%), interaction treatment T8 (35.59%) while P levels did not give any significant results.