Effect of integrated nutrient and canopy management in basmati rice on the productivity and profitability of rice-wheat system

In a field experiment conducted during 2002–03 & 2003–04 at Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, balanced use of NPK (60 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O per hectare) not only reduced lodging in rice but produced higher grain yield of rice and wheat compared to N alone (irrespective of it's levels) and/Or 60 kg N/ha combined with 10 tonnes FYM/ha application in rice. Use of FYM @10 tonnes/ha combined with N @ 60 kg/ha favoured more lodging in rice and subsequently poor crop yield. Full or partial (25%) substitution of N by FYM in rice though reduced grain yield of rice but could produced higher system productivity by way of increasing grain yieid of succeeding wheat. The highest system productivity In term of wheat grain equivalent (8.45t/ha) and profitability in term of net returns (Rs.24548/ha/year) were found with recommended dose of NPK & Zn, which further Increased by partial (25%) substitution of N through FYM. Foliage pruning in rice plant above primordial part though checked plant growth but reduced grain yield in all the rice varieties. Use of FYM @ 30 tonnes/ha alone and/or 100% NPK through chemicals maintained NPK and most of the micronutrients (S, Zn, Fe and Bo) at higher level. Use of N@60kg/ha combined with FYM@10 tonnes/ha registered higher values of organic carbon and total N in the soil.