Assessing different SSNM techniques to recommend optimum fertilizer dose under transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experimental study was conducted during kharif 2023 at the Agricultural Research Station, Mugad, to evaluate different Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) techniques for determining the optimum fertilizer dose for transplanted rice. The split-plot design included three replications, with two rice varieties, Mugad Siri and Mugad Sugandha, as the main plots and various SSNM-based fertilizer rates as subplots. These subplots included Soil Test Crop Response (T2), Rice Crop Manager (T3), Nutrient Expert (T4), the Recommended Package of Practices (T1), and an absolute control (T5). The results indicated that the RCM (web source) treatment led to superior growth, nutrient uptake (124.22 kg ha-1 N, 27.73 kg ha-1 P, and 94.71 kg ha-1 K), grain yield (51.33 q ha-1), straw yield (71.25 q ha-1) and economics compared to other treatments, with Nutrient Expert (software) performing nearly as well as RPP. Mugad Sugandha had a higher grain yield (42.94 q ha-1), phosphorus uptake (22.05 kg ha-1) and economics, while Mugad Siri showed higher nitrogen uptake (103.19 kg ha-1), similar potassium uptake, and higher straw yield (65.83 q ha-1). The RCM treatment was effective for Mugad Sugandha in increasing phosphorus uptake grain yield and economics and for Mugad Siri in enhancing nitrogen and potassium uptake and straw yield. Among the SSNM treatments, RCM was significantly superior.