Rice is the major source of carbohydrate in the human nutrient which is consumed by 75 % of the global population. Crop needs a balanced supply of nutrients for its optimum growth. In context of current climate change scenario, lowering negative impact of inorganic fertilizer on soil health, use of organic fertilizer along with biofertilizer is essential to provide optimum yields. Supplementing soil with organic sources of nutrients requires large amount of manures, also it takes time to release nutrients in the soil. in the present study combining the inorganic fertilizers with organic fertilizer could support to achieve sustainable production with optimum yield. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2019-20 under all India coordinated project for dryland agriculture at Kuthlia farm, Rewa, JNKVV, (M.P.). Nine treatment combinations were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results indicated that the treatment T9; 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through compost + Seed treated with Azotobacter @ 10g kg-1 seed registered maximum plant height (66 cm), no. of tillers (370.33 m-2). The yield attributes viz., number of productive tillers m-2, total number of grains panicle-1, panicle weight, grain yield panicle-1 and test weight were observed a strong and positive correlation with the grain yield of rice. The regression analysis, concluded strong, positive linear relationship of growth and yield attributes with grain yield of rice. The grain yield (3.80 t ha-1) and harvested index (0.37) were maximum in the treatment T9 however, straw yield (6.50 t ha-1) was maximum under T2; 100% recommended dose of NPK through fertilizer (100 kg N+40 kg P2O5 +40 kg K2O ha-1). The treatment T9 fetched maximum economic returns. The investigation concludes that the treatment T9 increased growth and yield of rice. Furthermore, adoption of INM has a positive impact on soil health and sustaining optimum crop productivity.

Drought tolerance rice, integrated nutrient management, compost, inorganic fertilizer, growth parameters, yield attributes

From the study it may be inferred that application of 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through compost + Seed treated with Azotobacter @ 10g kg-1 seed resulted in more growth, yield attributes, yield, and economics of rice. A strong and positive relationship was observed between growth and yield attributes with grain yield. Integrated use of Inorganic fertilizer in combination with organic sources and biofertilizer can play a key role in improving fertility status of soil thereby a boon to improve yield and yield attributes of drought tolerant direct seeded rice.

Narendra Kumar, B.K. Tiwari, R.K. Tiwari, Mrinali Gajbhiye and Jyoti Kushawah (2023). Response of Inorganic Fertilizers in Conjunction with Organic Sources on Performance of Drought Tolerant Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Central India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 06-12.