Effect of Organic-foliar Amendments on Growth and Flowering Parameters in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of organic - foliar amendments on the growth and flowering characteristics of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, Sona Masoori and ADT 49 The experiment was conducted during kharif 2021 and 2022 in farmers' organic fields in Annamalai nagar,Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu and Butchayyapeta, Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India, following a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were like Panchakavya, Moringa leaf extract, Neem leaf extract, Notchi leaf extract, Vermicompost extract, Cow urine, Coconut water, Beejamrutham, and various foliar applications of organic formulations in combination with Jeevamrutham. An untreated control was also included. Significant differences were observed among treatments for all growth and flowering characteristics. The highest plant height (118.6 cm in ADT 49 and 110.7 cm in Sona Masoori), the number of tillers hill⁻¹ (20.5 and 19.5, respectively), and the productive tillers hill⁻¹ (19.3 and 18.2, respectively) were observed among the treatments using foliar application of Panchakavya + Jeevamrutham. Indicating an increased growth rate and early maturity, it also hastened the days to panicle initiation, panicle emergence, and 50% flowering. For every parameter under study, the control treatment had the lowest values. When it came to responding to organic foliar treatments, ADT 49 was marginally more sensitive than Sona Masoori. The findings imply that, under sustainable farming systems, foliar application of Panchakavya + Jeevamrutham is a potential organic nutrient management technique to enhance growth and speed blooming in rice.