SYNERGISTIC ROLE OF INORGANIC NITROGEN AND FARMYARD MANURE IN ENHANCING RICE YIELD AND HARVEST EFFICIENCY

Abstract

The study intended to evaluate the impact of inorganic nitrogenous fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) combinations on the grain, straw, biological yield and harvest index of rice (Oryza sativa L.). A pot experiment was conducted at the Research Area of the Arid Zone Research Center, Dera Ismail Khan, during the 2023-2024 growing season. The study comprised five treatments, including control, different inorganic nitrogenous fertilizers and FYM applications. The results shown that the highest grain yield (43.9 g/pot) was attained with 100% fertilizer application, followed meticulously by 75% fertilizer with 2.5 t/ha FYM (41.5 g/pot). Straw and biological yields demonstrated similar trends, with significant increases in treatments receiving higher nitrogen levels. The harvest index was maximum in 100% fertilizer treatment (41.46%) and 75% fertilizer + FYM (40.46%), signifying effective nutrient utilization. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among treatments. The findings recommend that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers boosts rice yield and nutrient efficiency while potentially tumbling chemical fertilizer dependency. These results emphasize the significance of balanced fertilization strategies to optimize productivity and soil health under arid conditions.