FYM and zinc management for enhanced productivity and profitability of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. PB 1718

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the primary staple food for over 3.5 billion people globally and contributes approximately 19% of global nutritional energy requirements. In India, rice is cultivated on 47.80 million hectares and produces 135.52 million tonnes annually, with an average yield of 2835 kg ha -1 (DES, 2025). Within India, Uttar Pradesh is a leading state in terms of area and production of rice, with 7.35 million hectares and 20.76 million tonnes production during 2024-25. However, the productivity of rice in Uttar Pradesh (2824 kg ha -1 ) is still lower than in other leading states, such as Punjab (4428 kg ha -1 ) and Telangana (3627 kg ha -1 ). The farming system needs to improve productivity to meet the rising food demand of the growing population. The limited availability of cultivable land poses a challenge to increasing the production. Thus, measures for improving productivity should focus on improving soil fertility, nutrient levels and organic matter content, along with high-potential cultivars. PB 1718, a marker assisted selection (MAS) derived cultivar, has a high yield potential of 46.4 q ha -1 but its performance is dependent on localized soil nutrient optimization. Strategic nutrient management approaches that address both macro-and micronutrient requirements are essential for sustainable intensification of rice production. Soil nutrient management is an important factor in improving rice production. Ensuring an adequate dose of fertilizer is essential for enhancing grain production and achieving maximum profitability (Khuang, 2008) [5] . Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which combines organic amendments, like farmyard manure (FYM) with inorganic fertilizers, is a viable approach for improving nutrient-use efficiency and production. Farmyard manure (FYM) and zinc (Zn) are important for improve the soil fertility and crop yield. FYM contains approximately 0.5 per cent N, 0.2 per cent P₂O₅ and 0.5 per cent K₂O and acts as a slow-release source of nutrient. It improves soil structure, water retention capacity, microbial activity and nutrient availability. Zn is important for enzymatic processes, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and regulation of gene expression (Alloway, 2008) [1] . Zinc deficiency affects approximately 50% of cereal growing soils globally and 8% of Indian soils are reported to have acute zinc deficiency (Shukla et al., 2021) [11] . Previous studies have demonstrated that integrating organic manures with inorganic fertilizers enhances crop yields. However, there is a significant research gap regards to the specific interactions, optimal application rates and economic viability of the application of different levels of FYM and zinc along with reduced chemical fertilizer inputs for PB 1718 under the distinct agro-climatic conditions of western Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken with the following objectives: i) to study the effect of different levels of farmyard manure and zinc supplementation on the growth and yield attributes of rice variety PB 1718, ii) to evaluate the economic feasibility of these treatments to identify a financially better strategy for farmers.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut (U.P.) during Kharif season 2023. The area received a total of 925.6 mm of rainfall during the experiment crop growth period, from the 24 th to the 46 th meteorological week of 2023 (Fig. 1). The soil of the experimental site was clay loamy with 46.8, 17.6 and 35.8% sand, silt and clay, respectively. The initial soil analysis of the site indicated an alkaline pH of 7.85, electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.20 dSm -1 , organic carbon content of 0.40% (4.0 g kg -1 ), available nitrogen 190 kg ha -1 , available phosphorous was 13.6 kg ha -1 , available potassium of 196 kg ha - 1 and DTPA extractable Zn of 0.51 mg kg -1 . The rice variety PB 1718 was selected as the experimental crop. The field trial was conducted using randomized block design (RBD) consisting of seven distinct nutrient management treatments. Each treatment was replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of Zn and FYM with the combination of Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) (standard for 100% RDF was selected as NPK @ 120:60:60). 90% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha -1 T4 100% RDF + Zinc @ 5.0 kg ha -1 T5 80% RDF + FYM @5.0 t ha -1 T6 100% RDF + Zinc @ 25.0 kg ha -1 T7 90% RDF+ FYM @2.5 t ha -1 + Zinc @ 12.5 kg ha -1

Farmyard manure was applied at the required dose one week prior to transplantation. Urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), and zinc sulphate were used to provide N, P, K, and Zn, respectively. Growth observations were recorded at 30, 60, 90 days after transplanting (DAT) and at harvest. Grain and straw yields were recorded plot-wise after threshing the produce. The yield of the net plot was converted to q ha -1 . The dry weight of straw was collected from the net plot and recorded; the grain yield was recorded in kg per plot and then converted to q ha -1 . Economic parameters were calculated based on local market costs of cultivation inputs and prevailing market prices for commodity returns.

Statistical Analysis

Experimental data on growth parameters, yield attributes, and economic outputs were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The standard error of the mean (S.Em.±) was calculated for each parameter. To determine the statistical significance among treatment means, the Critical Difference (CD) was computed at the 5% (p = 0.05) probability level.

Results and Discussion

Growth Parameters Plant Height

The application of micronutrient zinc and organic farmyard manure significantly increased plant height at all stages of growth compared to the control (T 1 ), with a relatively higher percentage increase observed in the initial period from 30 to 90 days after transplanting (DAT) than in the later stages of the crop growth period. At 30 DAT, plant height varied from 36.6 cm to 47.0 cm, highest in plots treated with 90% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha -1 + Zinc @ 12.5 kg ha -1 (T 7 ). Throughout the crop cycle, Treatment T 7 demonstrated superior performance compared to the other treatments, with recorded heights of 97.3 cm at 60 days after transplanting (DAT), 110.6 cm at 90 DAT, and 120.6 cm at harvest (Fig. 2). The control plot (T 1 ) consistently recorded the minimum plant height across all intervals (36.6 cm, 86.0 cm, 92.1 cm and 94.7 cm, respectively).

The increase in plant height can be attributed to the optimal and balanced application of both macro-and micronutrients. While nitrogen is essential for vegetative cell division and elongation, it was rapidly supplied by inorganic fertilizers, and the incorporated farmyard manure served as a steady slow-releasing nutrient reservoir. Supplementary zinc enhanced nutrient utilization through its synergistic interaction with FYM, acting as a structural promoter of enzymatic function and growth hormones. These findings align with those of Sharma et al. (2014) [10] and Kumar et al. (2019) [7] , who reported enhanced elongation in rice cultivars managed with integrated nutrient systems.

The plot treated with 90% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha -1 + Zn @ 12.5 kg ha -1 (T 7 ) exhibited the maximum dry matter accumulation at all development stages, recording 193.40 g m -2 at 30 DAT, 764.56 g m -2 at 60 DAT, 956.31 g m -2 at 90 DAT and 1407.40 g m -2 at harvest (Table 2). Statistical analysis indicated that the biomass accumulation under T 7 was statistically at par with the application of Zinc @ 25.0 kg ha -1 . The control plot (T 1 ) yielded the minimum dry matter accumulation at all stages. The minimum DMA observed in the control plots confirmed that unmanaged alkaline soils restrict vegetative development owing to inherent nutrient limitations. The significant enhancement of DMA following zinc application is linked to the fundamental biological role of zinc in enzyme activation, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and growth hormone (auxin) production. When integrated with organic amendments, FYM modifies the soil environment, improving nutrient availability and structural water retention, which sustains the biomass production. Amanullah and Inamullah (2016) [2] also concluded that balanced zinc nutrition in accelerating dry matter partitioning.

No. of tillers

The number of tillers in rice significantly differed by the application of Zn micronutrient and FYM along with RDF at all stages compared to the control throughout the experiment. [4] and Sharma et al. (2014) [10] .

Test weight

A non-significant increase in the test weight of grain was observed. The highest and lowest 1000-grain weights were observed for T 6 and Control (T 1 ) at 21.53 g and 19.52 g, respectively. The highest 1000 grain weight was recorded with T 6 followed by T 7 .

Test weight remained statistically constant owing to the strong genetic control within the PB 1718 variety, the increase in panicle numbers directly laid the foundation for higher final grain yields.

The result is consistent with the findings of Kumar et al. (2022) [6] and Sharma et al. (2014) [10] .

Effect on yield

Grain, straw yield and biological yield Among the different treatments, the highest grain and straw yield of 47.4 q ha -1 , 78.4 q ha -1, respectively, were recorded with the application of 100% RDF + Zn @ 25.0 kg ha -1, which was at par with 46.9 q ha -1 , 77.0 q ha -1 with the application of 90% RDF along with FYM at 2.5 t ha -1 rate and zinc @ 12.5 kg ha -1 . The highest biological yield of 125.80 q ha -1 was obtained with treatment T 6 , which was at par with the yield obtained with the application of 90% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha -1 + zinc at 12.5 kg ha - 1 along with 100% RDF and with 100% RDF + Zinc @ 5.0 kg ha - 1 (Fig. 3). The lowest yield was recorded in the control. The increase in grain and straw yields was attributed to the positive impact of Zn on root proliferation and nutrient uptake. Adding zinc and RDF enhances photosynthetic activity and improves nutrient translocation from source to sink tissues, providing a continuous nutrient supply throughout the reproductive phase. In the alkaline soils of western Uttar Pradesh, high pH levels restrict zinc solubility and bioavailability further limiting crop yields. Direct zinc application reduces this constraint and prevents yield losses associated with interveinal chlorosis or stunted growth. The integrated treatment (T 7 ) enhances nutrient-use efficiency and allows for a 10% reduction in chemical fertilizer inputs without reducing yield. These outcomes match those reported by Singh et al. (2018) [14] and Saxena et al. (2019) [9] .

Harvest Index

A Non-significant influence of FYM and Zn treatments along with RDF was observed on Harvest index of Rice. Among the treatments, the application of 90% RDF+ FYM @2.5 t ha -1 + Zinc @ 12.5 kg ha -1 resulted in the maximum Harvest Index followed by 100% RDF + Zinc @ 25.0 kg ha -1 . The minimum harvest index was observed in the control T 1 .

Increase in harvest index over the control and sole 100% NPK due to addition of zinc and FYM is driven by effective dry matter partitioning between source and sink as influenced by nutrient management. Amanullah and Inamullah (2016) [2] reported an effective partitioning resulted in greater HI upon the application of Zn.

Economic feasibility of different parameters

The result indicated that different treatments had a significant impact on gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio. The highest gross return were recorded with application of 100% RDF + Zinc @ 25.0 kg ha -1 , at par with 90% RDF+ FYM @2.5 t ha -1 + Zinc @ 12.5 kg ha -1 . Both of the treatments were significantly superior to the rest of the treatment. The maximum B: C ratio of 3.7 was observed with the treatment T 7 (Table 3). The minimum gross return and net return were observed with T 1 , control. The highest initial cultivation costs occurred in treatments utilizing farmyard manure (FYM). However, because a single application of FYM provides residual soil benefits that last for roughly three years, the long-term management expenses for plots under treatments T 7 , T 3 and T 5 are expected to drop progressively in subsequent seasons. T 6 recorded highest gross, net return and higher B: C ratio. Combined application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers led to higher monetary returns, as also observed by Singh et al. (2016) [12] and Tomar et al. (2018) [15] .

Conclusion

Based on the finding of the study it can be concluded that integrated application of farmyard manure at the rate of 2.5 t ha -1 in combination with zinc at 12.5 kg ha -1 and 90% of recommended dose of fertilizers proved effective in increasing the yield attributing character, yield and economic parameters. The combined application of FYM and zinc along with RDF resulted in significantly higher grain yield compared to their individual application, highlighted the synergistic effect between organic and inorganic nutrient sources. The finding suggests the possibility of reducing chemical fertilizers without compromising yield through the judicious integration of organic manure and micronutrients. However, validation of these results through multi-year and multi-location studies is necessary to confirm their long-term effects on productivity and economic feasibility of treatment combination.

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