Impact of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on rice (Oryza sativa L.): Enhancing grain filling, quality dynamics and economic viability

In 2021, a study investigated the effects of applying Ascophyllum nodusum extract (ANE) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) during the kharif season to evaluate grain filling, quality dynamics and economic viability. The trial was replicated three times and followed a randomized block design with seven treatments and one untreated control. Treatments were AN₀: Untreated control, AN₈: 8 kg/ha, AN₁₀: 10 kg/ha, AN_12.5: 12.5 kg/ha, AN₁₅: 15 kg/ha and AN₂₅: 25 kg/ha ANE applied twice at 30 and 55 days after transplanting (DAT). Rest two treatments were AN_10.1: 10 kg/ha ANE only at 30 DAT and AN_10.2: 10 kg/ha ANE only at 55 DAT. Results indicated that the highest filled grain and unfilled floret per panicle were recorded in AN25 and AN0 respectively. Highest fertility was reported in AN25 (90.8%) followed by AN15 (89.9%). Similarly, rice quality dynamics indicators including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content in grain and straw also reported in the AN25, indicating superiority over all treatments. Cost of cultivation was lowest in AN0, however, higher net return (INR 56884) and B-C ratio (1.85) was reported in AN25. Findings revealed that use of ANE favourably linked with the grain filling, quality dynamics and economics aspects of rice. Therefore, the use of 25 kg ANE at 30 and 55 DAT can be recommended for rice in lowland transplanted conditions of middle Gangetic plains.