Effect of foliar application of fertilizers on growth and yield of upland paddy (Oryza sativa L.)

The present experiment entitled, “Studies on Effect of Foliar Application Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Upland Paddy (Oryza sativa L.)”, was conducted at Irrigation Water Management Farm, VNMKV, Parbhani during Kharif-2023. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising of eight treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments of the experiment were T₁: RDF (80:50:50 NPK Kg ha^-1), T₂: RDF + 2% Urea spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, T₃: RDF + 2% DAP spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, T₄: RDF + 1% Urea + 1% DAP spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, T₅: RDF + 2% KNO₃ spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation., T₆: RDF + 1% 19:19:19 spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, T₇: RDF + 0.5% Grade-II Micronutrient spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation, T₈: Absolute Control (no RDF and foliar nutrient application). All the treatments were applied through foliar application twice at maximum tillering and panicle initiation stage of paddy crop. The size of the experimental plot was 5.4 m x 4.8 m (gross plot) and 4.8 m x 4.8 m (net plot). The rice crop was drilled by maintaining 30 cm spacing between rows. The recommended dose of fertilizer (80: 50: 50 kg N; P2O5 and K2O ha^-1) and other package of practices for upland paddy were imposed uniformly for all the treatments including control. Among all the treatments, application of treatment RDF + 1% 19:19:19 spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation showed higher values of all growth and yield attributing characters except plant height in which application of RDF + 2% Urea spray was significant. The lowest values of of above-mentioned yield and yield attributes of upland paddy was recorded in T₈ (control).