Effect of foliar application of nutrient on yield in different varieties of rice

The field experiment titled “Effect of foliar application of nutrients on yield in different rice varieties” was carried out at the Main Rice Research Centre, Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, during 2021-22 to 2023-24. The study was conducted using a factorial randomized block design, with rice varieties assigned to the main plots and foliar sprays of urea and KNO₃ at the tillering and panicle initiation (PI) stages assigned to the subplots, each replicated three times.

The results indicated that the protein-rich variety GR-23 produced significantly greater plant height, higher panicle weight, and increased grain yield. Similarly, foliar application of 2% urea or 1% KNO₃ at tillering and PI stages resulted in significantly higher plant height, more panicles per square meter, longer panicles, and improved grain yield. Both variety GR-23 and the foliar application of 2% urea or 1% KNO₃ also recorded significantly higher protein content in both grain and straw.