Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield attributes, panicle length, productivity and quality of transplanted basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food crop feeding over half of the world's population. Yield is determined by components such as the number of panicles per unit area, spikelets (grains) per panicle, grain filling percentage, and individual grain weight. Panicle length and architecture significantly influence grain number and filling efficiency. Recent studies emphasize genetic and agronomic factors regulating panicle branching and grain filling. Overexpression of genes like GNP3 enhances panicle branching and grain yield by modulating ethylene levels. Compact panicles often lead to higher unfilled spikelets due to competition for assimilates and hormonal imbalances. Pathak, S. O., et al. (2021) [1] . This experiment assessed different treatments (likely nutrient, bio-stimulant, or management practices, common in such designs) on these traits under field conditions. The objective was to identify superior treatments for improving yield potential. Chandra, M. S., et al. (2023) [2] . Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the world's most widely farmed food crop and remains the world's most significantly more than 60% of the world's population depends on this major food crop. Rice crops grow in a variety of ecosystems between 55 0 N and 36 0 S latitudes, under a variety of climatic and meteorological circumstances. India is the world's second most populated country after China and the largest producer of rice. Kumawat, A., et al. (2024) [3] . China produces 204.3 million tonnes from 30.3 million ha and India produces 152.6 million tonnes from 42.5 million ha, with an average productivity of 3.57 t ha -1 . While, china on the other hand, produces 204.3 million tonnes from 30.3 million hectares, averaging 6.73 t ha -1 . Among the all rice growing countries of world about 90 percent of rice grown and consumed in the Asian countries. India has the greatest area of all the rice-growing countries, followed by China and Indonesia. Rice is the world's most important food crop, with 158.8 million hectares under cultivation and 700 million tonnes produced. Maximum area under rice is in Asia continent of world. The present investigation on the "Response of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient on productivity and quality of transplanted Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)" with Pusa Basmati 1509 aims to evaluate the comparative and integrated effects of different nutrient sources on growth, yield attributes, grain yield, milling and cooking quality, nutrient uptake, and soil health under transplanted conditions. This study seeks to identify optimal nutrient management strategies that can maximize the genetic potential of this elite variety while addressing the challenges of soil degradation and input sustainability in Basmatigrowing regions. Nautiyal, M., et al. (2025) [5] . Considering the advantages such as semi-dwarf stature, nonlodging and non-shattering habit, reduced duration, yield on par and superior grain and cooking quality traits compared to Pusa Basmati 1121.

Interna tional

Materials and Methods

Ten panicles were randomly selected from each plot. The length was measured in cm with the help of meter scale. Average length of five panicles was expressed as panicle length.

The number of panicles from one square metre area were counted at physiological maturity by using quadrant of 1 m × 1 m size and recorded as number of effective panicles m-2.

Number of grains panicle -1

From the ten selected spikes of wheat, grains were separated, cleaned and counted and the mean value of grains spike -1 was computed.

Unfilled spikelets panicle -1

Total count the spikelet's in the penicls are calculated unfilled spikelet's panicle 1000-grain weight (g) After threshing and weighing, a random sample of grains was drawn from grain yield of each plot. From this sample of 1,000-grains were counted at random and their weight (g) was recorded. The field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design (or similar) with treatments T 1 to T 11 . Standard agronomic practices for rice cultivation were followed. Data on panicle length (cm), number of panicles, grains per panicle, unfilled spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight (g) were recorded at maturity from representative samples and pooled for analysis. Statistical analysis included computation of SEM±and CD at 5% to determine significance of treatment differences.

Experimental finding

Pooled panicle length ranged from 19.59 cm (T 8 ) to 22.46 cm (T 11 ). The highest panicle length was recorded in T 11 (22.46 cm), followed by T 2 (22.00 cm) and T 4 (21.92 cm). Treatments T 10 (21.59 cm) and T 6 (21.25 cm) also performed well. The lowest values were observed in T 8 (19.59 cm) and T 1 (19.72 cm). The standard error of mean (SEM±) was 1.22 and the critical difference (CD at 5%) was 3.83 (Table 1). Differences between treatments exceeding the CD value were considered statistically significant. The present investigation revealed significant variations among the treatments for all the yield and yield-attributing characters studied. Pooled panicle length ranged from 19.59 cm (T 8 ) to 22.46 cm (T 11 ). Although T 11 recorded the maximum panicle length, the differences were mostly nonsignificant as the CD value (3.83 cm) was relatively high compared to the observed variation. This indicates that panicle length was less influenced by the treatments under the present experimental conditions. Among the yield components, the number of panicles per plant, grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight showed clear and statistically significant treatment effects. Treatment T 11 produced the highest number of panicles (13.64) and grains per panicle (95.11), which were significantly superior to most other treatments as per the CD values (1.65 and 5.15, respectively). Treatment T 10 was the second-best performer in these characters and recorded the highest 1000-grain weight (28.4 g). A notable observation was the higher number of unfilled spikelets per panicle in treatments that recorded higher panicle number and grains per panicle (T 11: 13.92 and T 10: 13.72). This suggests a possible source-sink imbalance, where the increased sink size (more grains) could not be fully supported by the available assimilates, leading to higher unfilled spikelets. Such a trend is commonly reported in rice when high-yielding treatments create a larger reproductive sink. Treatments T 7 , T 9 , and T 10 also performed well in terms of 1000-grain weight, indicating better grain filling efficiency. Overall, the results demonstrate that treatments T 11 and T 10 were most effective in improving the majority of yield components, possibly due to better nutrient management, hormonal balance, or physiological efficiency.

Discussion

The present investigation revealed significant variations in yield attributing characters among the different treatments. Pooled panicle length ranged from 19.59 cm (T 8 ) to 22.46 cm (T 11 ). Although T 11 recorded the highest panicle length, the differences were mostly non-significant as the CD (5%) value (3.83 cm) was relatively high compared to the observed variation. This indicates that panicle length was comparatively less influenced by the treatments. The number of panicles per plant, grains per panicle, unfilled spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight showed significant treatment effects as evident from their respective CD values. Treatment T 11 produced the maximum number of panicles (13.64) and grains per panicle (95.11), indicating better tillering ability and sink establishment. This was closely followed by T 10 and T 8 /T 9 . The increase in unfilled spikelets per panicle in T 11 (13.92) and T 10 (13.72) appears to be a consequence of larger sink size (more grains), which might have led to source limitation or incomplete grain filling under the given conditions. Among the treatments, T 10 recorded the highest 1000-grain weight (28.4 g), followed by T 9 (27.8 g) and T 7 (27.3 g). This suggests that these treatments possibly enhanced assimilate translocation and grain development. Treatments showing higher panicle number and grain number (T 11 and T 10 ) generally performed better in overall yield components, indicating a positive correlation between these characters. The results clearly demonstrate that treatments T 11 and T 10 were superior in most of the yield components studied. The variation in performance may be attributed to the differential effect of the treatments on physiological processes such as tillering, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and partitioning of assimilates. g) and also performed excellently in other yield attributes.  Unfilled spikelets were higher in high-yielding treatments (T 11 and T 10 ), indicating a larger sink size.  All characters showed significant treatment effects except panicle length.

Conclusion

On the basis of the present study, it can be concluded that Treatment T 11 was the most effective for improving panicle length, number of panicles, and grains per panicle, while Treatment T 10 was superior for 1000-grain weight. Both T 11 and T 10 emerged as the best treatments for enhancing overall yield-attributing characters in the crop. These treatments can be recommended for further large-scale evaluation and adoption by farmers to achieve higher productivity. Further studies are suggested to understand the physiological and biochemical basis of their superior performance.

References

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