Abstract

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers is a major concern in paddy fields which has deteriorated soil health extensively for which a shift towards integrated nutrient management (INM) is the opt choice to feed the growing population. Therefore, a study was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India during 2021 to assess the effect of INM on the phyllochron and tillering in rice. Recommended rates of organic manures viz., farmyard manure (12.5 t/ha), green leaf manure (5 t/ha), poultry manure (5 t/ha), goat manure (5 t/ha) and vermicompost (5 t/ha) were integrated with recommended dose of fertilizer @ 150: 50: 50 kg/ha NPK. Study revealed that INM through farmyard manure resulted in increased growth (plant height, total leaf area, more of leaves and tillers per plant) in lesser accumulated thermal time (21.2°C days/leaf) required for leaf emergence @ 0.646 leaf/day. Therefore, it is evident that combining inorganic fertilizers with organic manures could enhance the growth and facilitate steady nutrition to the rice crop in addition to improved soil health over conventional method of cultivation.