Effect on foliar nutrition of micro nutrients on growth attributes in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)

During the samba season (September, 2022 - February, 2023), a field experiment was carried out at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, to study the influence of foliar application of micro nutrients on growth parameters of transplanted rice. BPT 5204, a medium-duration rice variety, is chosen for the investigation. Eight treatments spread across three replications comprised the Randomized Block Design (RBD) layout of the field experiment. The treatments included various nutrient management techniques, such as 100% RDF (T₁), 100% RDF + foliar ZnSO₄ application at 0.5% (T₂), 100% RDF + foliar Borax application at 0.25% (T₃), and 100% RDF + foliar silicon application at 1% (T₄),100% RDF + ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% + Borax @ 0.25% + Silicon @ 1% (T₅), 100% RDF + ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% + Silicon @ 1% (T₆), 100% RDF + Borax @ 0.25% + Silicon @ 1% (T₇) and 100% RDF + ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% + Borax @ 0.25% + Silicon @ 1% (T₈). The application of the 100% recommended dosage of fertilizer plus foliar application of ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% + borax @ 0.25% + silicon @ 1% can be concluded based on the experimental results (T₈) remarkably boost the productivity and profitability of rice. Hence this treatment was considered to be the most efficient way to enhance the yield of transplanted rice.