Effect of Iron Nutrition on Growth and Productivity of Aerobic Rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons (June–October) of 2012 and 2013 at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telengana, India to evaluate the response of rice cultivars and iron nutrition on growth and yield of aerobic rice. Experiment comprising of three rice cultivars (Tellahamsa, MTU 1010 and KRH 2) and twelve sources and modes of iron nutrition i.e. control (no iron), basal application of iron sulphate @ 25 kg ha^-1, basal application of Iron chelate @ 25 kg ha^-1, 3 foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate @ 7 days interval, 3 foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate @ 10 days interval and 3 foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate @ 15 days interval. Next 3 treatments were three foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate in conjunction with basal application of iron sulphate @ 25 kg ha^-1. Subsequent treatments were three foliar sprays of 2% iron sulphate with basal combination of iron chelate @ 25 kg ha^-1. Results indicated that among rice cultivars KRH 2 gave significantly better agronomic performance with respect to growth parameters and yield. Iron nutrition treatments significantly affected the plant height, tillers, dry matter accumulation and yield of aerobic rice. Basal application of iron chelate @ 25 kg ha^-1 with 3 foliar sprays of iron sulphate at 7 days interval produced tallest plants, maximum number of tillers, accumulated highest dry matter and produced maximum yield during both the years.