Maximizing Productivity and Profitability of Rice through Application of Zinc in Lowland Transplanted Ecosystem of Odisha, India

Abstract

The current investigation is based on the Zn management impact through Zn fertilizer application to deficient soils of lowland rice ecosystem of Odisha. On-farm testingswere carried out at threeKrushi Vigyan Kendras (Sonepur, Balangir and Jagatsinghpur) to determine the optimal dose and frequency of Zn application along with soil test-based fertilizer application in rice-rice cropping system of Odisha for enhancing productivity and profitability. Astudy wasconducted for zinc and organic carbon content in initial and post-harvest soil to investigate the potential fate of Zn application on distinct Zn pools as well as organic carbon’s fate in soil and its impact on rice yield and economics in a rice based cropping system. After two cropping cycles, the rice crop responded to Zn application with or without FYM by providing the highest mean grain yield of4.4 t/ha and 3.8 t/ha , as well as mean straw yield of 5.1 t/ha and 4.7 t/ha respectively over all the said locations.The treatment combination of Soil test based recommendation (STBR) (NPK) + Farm yard Manure (FYM) +Zn @ 2.5 kg/ha has resulted highest average net return of INR 41750/ha  and B:C of 1.86 along with provided   more organic carbon rich soil  (0.67%) and Zn sufficient soil range of 0.77-0.93 DTPA-Zn ( mg kg-1 ).