Management of Sesbania aculeata Incorporation and Nitrogen on the Performance of Transplanted Rice in Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were conducted to optimize the days for decomposition of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) with different nitrogen (N) levels and scheduling in transplanted rice in calcareous soil in a split-plot design with three replications. Incorporation of dhaincha one day before transplanting (1-DBT) obviated the need for allowing N gap. Nitrogen scheduling as 50% at active tillering + 40% at panicle initiation + 10% at flowering recorded the maximum grain yield (59.05 q ha⁻¹) and N–​phosphorus (P)–​potassium (K) uptake. The different N fractions in post-harvest soil were in the order of total N> total hydrolyzable N> non-hydrolyzable N> exchangeable ammonium (NH₄⁺)–​N and nitrate (NO₃⁻)–​N. Thus, in calcareous soil, rice may be transplanted immediately after burying the dhaincha without any time gap along with 80 kg N ha⁻¹. Also, application of nitrogenous fertilizer in three splits, delaying N application until active tillering stage, is beneficial for improving rice productivity.

KEYWORDS:

• Calcareous soil
• dhaincha
• nitrogen
• nitrogen fractions
• rice

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, India, for providing necessary facilities and encouragement during the course of this study. We also thank the anonymous reviewers for their critical evaluation and valuable suggestions, which helped us to revise and bring this paper in the present form.