Effect of different proportions of vermicompost and fertilizers on growth and yield of scented rice and soil properties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2007 and 2008 at Jabalpur, M.P. to study the combined effect of different proportions of vermicompost and fertilizers on growth and yield of scented rice. Application of 100% NPK through fertilizers significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes of rice compared with application of vermicompost alone and different combination of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers. The grain and straw yields were recorded highest with recommended dose of fertilizers closely followed by the substitution of proportions of NPK proportions (20% and 40% N) with vermicompost. The NPK uptake was maximum with the recommended dose of fertilizers. The highest gross return with application of 100% N through vermicompost. The net returns and B:C ratio was maximum with the application of 100% NPK through fertilizers being at par with application of 20% N through vermicompost + 80% NPK through fertilizers. The highest cost of cultivation with organic nutrient management resulted into less net returns than inorganic nutrient management. The lowest cost of cultivation with inorganic nutrient management alone with good gross monetary returns (GMR) contributed to the maximum net monetary returns (NMR) value. The treatment considered with the substitution of proportion of NPK with proportions of vermicompost fetches less NMR value than the application of 100% NPK through fertilizers.