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Integrated nitrogen and weed management on crop growth, soil biology and weed dynamics in aerobic rice


Citation :- Integrated nitrogen and weed management on crop growth, soil biology and weed dynamics in aerobic rice. Res. Crop. 27: 7-15
ANKITA PRIYADARSHINI, SUBHAPRADA DASH, ASHOK KUMAR MOHAPATRA, JAGMOHAN LAL GULATI, JAGADISH JENA, PRAKASH RANJAN BEHERA AND MANORANJAN ARAKHA subhapradadash@soa.ac.in
Address : Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar-751003, India
Submitted Date : 13-01-2026
Accepted Date : 27-01-2026

Abstract

Aerobic rice systems require efficient nutrient and weed management to sustain productivity, yet complex nitrogen dynamics and severe weed competition often reduce growth and yield. Scientific evidence on the combined effects of integrated nitrogen sources and weed management strategies in aerobic rice remains limited. A two-year split-plot field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2023 and 2024 to investigate the effect of integrated nitrogen and weed management practices on crop growth, soil microbial attributes, and weed density in aerobic rice. The experiment comprised of four levels of nutrient management treatments in main plot, (N1 - 100% STBNR (Soil Test Based Nitrogen Recommendation), N2 - 75% STBNR + 25% nitrogen supplied through FYM (Farm Yard Manure), N3 - 75% STBNR + Soil application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, and N4 - 75% STBNR + 25% nitrogen supplied through FYM + soil application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and four sub plot treatments comprised of Pendimethalin (1 kg/ha) applied one day after sowing followed by bispyribac-sodium at 25 DAS; a stale seedbed (15 DBS) followed by brown manuring plus bispyribac-sodium (25 g/ha) at 25 DAS; a stale seedbed (15 DBS) followed by one hand weeding at 25 DAS; and a weedy check replicated thrice. The results revealed significant interaction between nitrogen and weed management across the pooled years. The treatment, combining 75% STBNR + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter and Azospirillum with SSB fb 1 HW at 25 DAS, recorded the tallest plants (74.2 cm) and the highest LAI (4.19), statistically at par with the same under SSB fb BM. This treatment also exhibited a notably higher bacterial population and microbial biomass, indicating improved soil biology and nutrient availability. The lowest weed density was observed in 75% STBNR +25% nitrogen through FYM with SSB fb BM (7.15 no./m²), which was at par with 75% STBNR +Azotobacter and Azospirillum with SSB fb BM. Plant height, and LAI showed significant positive correlations with bacterial population and microbial biomass carbon and negative correlations with total weed density and weed biomass, whereas weed indices strong positive relationships with weed density and biomass.

 

Keywords

Aerobic rice Azotobacter Azospirillum nitrogen management weed management


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