Effect of organic fertilizers on growth, nutrient uptake, and yield of black rice

Black rice is often referred to as long-life rice and is considered a nutrient-dense food by dietitians and nutritionists. The bioactive perspective, nutritional background, and health benefits of black rice promote its inclusion in everyday diets and highlight its role as an exciting superfood with the potential to increase dietary diversity and address global health issues. Vermicompost fertilization greatly enhanced soil properties, substantially improving growth indicators and yield. Agricultural output in Odisha is volatile, and the sector's expansion is quite unpredictable. This study should be conducted in Odisha soil to increase black rice yields, as organic fertilisers and amendments have been shown to improve nutrient content while enhancing crop yields considerably, and they also have therapeutic implications for various medical fields. Although black rice is famous for its excellent quality and valuable ingredients, producing it in a way that simultaneously improves grain yield and quality isn't easy. To fill a knowledge vacuum, this study analyses the nutrient and yield content of vermicompost-grown black rice in Odisha soil, demonstrating its originality for cultivation in that region. The unique aspect of this study is its broader approach to organic farming, specifically its examination of black rice production, which can help identify the limitations and appropriate use of organic fertilisers in agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the impact of organic fertiliser on the development and growth of black rice in Odisha soil. The work aims to maintain optimal soil conditions for the growth, nutrient content, and yield of the black rice variety in Odisha, making its cultivation as straightforward as that of any other rice variety. The obtained seeds were planted in three distinct soil treatments (ordinary, vermicompost, and soil + NPK). Plants harvested from different soil treatments underwent morphological examinations after germination, followed by analyses of chlorophyll, total sugar, starch, pH, qualitative phytochemicals, and XRF. After germination, the statistical parameters of the three growth stages—young, intermediate, and mature—of each plant collected from three treatment conditions were measured. Leaves extracts from each treated soil condition were tested for chlorophyll estimation, total sugar content, starch hydrolysis, pH, and phytochemicals assay. XRF analysis of soil and leaf samples revealed the presence of different elements and compounds that aid in development. According to the findings, plants grown in soil with vermicompost conditions performed better than those planted in soil with NPK conditions. The plant growing in soil treated with vermicompost had significantly more chlorophyll pigments, low sugar levels, and starch presence than other growing environments. Various extracts of black rice have been shown to contain different phytoconstituents, including alkaloids and flavonoids. The soil pH test results showed that the soil amended with vermicompost was slightly acidic, whereas the results for the other two soils were somewhat basic. Soil and leaf XRF analysis revealed varying concentrations of different elements and compounds. The study concludes that plants grown in soil amended with vermicompost were found to have superior characteristics than those grown in conventional soil. It also concludes that, with proper care, Odisha's soil is ideal for growing black rice, which results in a higher yield that is also nutrient-dense. The manuscript highlights the need for modified soil management strategies by identifying the varied nutritional characteristics and soil reactivity in black rice farming through thorough soil testing. This study demonstrates that vermicompost is an effective method for promoting plant growth, as it contains all the necessary nutrients, beneficial bacteria, and growth regulators that plants require. Integrating vermicompost into crop production and soil fertility improvement strategies can be an efficient and long-term solution supporting integrative nutrient management. To maximize growth and harvest, black rice in Odisha requires specific soil conditions to be maintained. In the future, further studies can be conducted to increase yield and enhance the nutritional benefits, thereby making it more accessible to the public.