Effect of Amendments on Soil and Growth Characteristics of Rice (Oryga sativa) in Lateritic and Coastal Wetland Soils

Abstract

Wetland ecosystems of Kerala play a crucial role in sustaining rice production, yet their productivity is increasingly constrained by poor soil fertility and adverse physicochemical properties. Understanding nutrient dynamics and the impact of soil amendments in distinct agroecological units is essential for developing effective management strategies to enhance soil fertility and rice yield. A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of amendments on the soil nutrient dynamics of both lateritic and coastal wetland soils at College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod from October 2023 to January 2024. Experiment was conducted with 2 types of soils (coastal sandy and lateritic alluvial wetland) under 5 levels of treatments using completely randomized design (CRD) using paddy as the test crop. From the experiment, yield limiting factors were found to be available Mg and B status in both the soil types. The results of the experiment revealed that application of Soil Test Based Fertilizers (STBF) and STBF combined with lime / dolomite significantly improved growth parameters such as productive tillers, grains per panicle, and test weight and ultimately leading to higher yield potential. The incorporation of liming materials not only ameliorated soil acidity but also enhanced the availability of essential nutrients. Thereby Soil Test Based Fertilizers (STBF) combined with lime / dolomite by significantly improving soil nutrient availability, plant nutrient uptake, and yield attributes in both soil types and proved to be the best management practice in both the soil types.