Effect of tillage, residue and nutrient management practices on yield attributes of rice

A study was performed to discern the effect of tillage, residue and nutrient management on yield attributes of rice in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Rice var. Ramdhan was cropped in three replications along with eight treatments which were evaluated under strip-split plot design. Tillage treatments were CT (Conventional tillage) and NT (No tillage), residues treatment were RK (Residue kept) and RR (Residue removed) while nutrient management treatment were FD (farmer’s doses with 5Mt ha-1 of FYM + 50:23:0 NPK kg ha-1) and RD (recommended dose with 100:60:30 NPK kg ha-1)). Method of tillage, residue management and nutrient management significantly influenced the effective tillers per meter square. However, tillage and residue management practices did not affect panicle length and 1000-grain weight. The highest average grain yield (3.66 t ha-1) was obtained under no tillage which was statistically superior over conventional tillage (2.28 t ha-1). The grain yield obtained under residue kept (3.72 t ha-1) being at par was significantly superior over residue removed (2.22 t ha-1). Rice grain yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher on recommended dose of fertilizer (4.53 t ha-1) than the farmer’s dose of fertilizer (1.41 t ha-1). The yield attributes were found maximum under no tillage, residue kept and recommended doses of fertilizer. Adoption of cultivation practices involving no tillage, residue integration and recommended doses of fertilizer will help to improve soil properties and yield attributes of rice for sustaining productivity and protecting the environment.