Effect of Irrigation and Nitrogen Application at Early Tillering, Panicle Initiation and Flowering Stages on the Yield and Yield Attributes of Boro Rice

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen splitting on the yield and yield attributes of boro rice, with particular emphasis on critical growth stages including early tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stages. The experiment was executed at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, from December 2022 to May 2023. The experiment setup was demonstrated using a split plot design, incorporating three replications. Two factors were determined for the experiment: the first included three different watering schedules aiming critical growth stages: early tillering (I1), early tillering and flowering (I2), and early tillering, panicle initiation and flowering panicle initiation (I3). The second factor was distinct nitrogen splitting techniques, which consisted of four levels: control (N0), 138 kg N ha-1 as basal (N1), 69 kg N ha-1 at early tillering and flowering stages (N2), and 46 kg N ha-1 at early tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stages (N3). The highest reading of chlorophyll content was noticed in I3 along with productive tillers (15.67), grains (115.25) and yield outcome (4.44 t ha-1). Regarding nitrogen application, the greatest chlorophyll content, number of functional tillers (13.32), productive grains (112.44) panicle-1 and grain yield (4.48 t ha-1) was recorded in treatment N3. Therefore, the research finding suggest that the application of water at early tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stages along with the application of 46 kg N ha-1 will be helpful to maximize the production of rice in drought prone areas. This approach not only maximizes yield but also helps to mitigate water wastages associated with excessive irrigation.