Agronomic manipulation on nutrient uptake and status in Sali rice under varied crop establishment in the inceptisol of Assam

A field study was undertaken consecutively for two years (2016 and 2017) in Golaghat district of Assam, India to find out the influence of agronomic manipulation especially varied crop establishment on plant nutrient uptake and status in sali rice. The experiment was composed of two methods of crop establishment viz. System of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional rice cultivation (CRC); three planting dates viz. 26th June, 10th and 25th July and four different crop densities (20 cm x 10 cm, 20 cm x 20 cm, 25 cm x 20 cm & 25 cm x 25 cm). The SRI crops registered significantly higher levels of total nutrient uptake which was contributed as a result of a similar pattern of effect by both grain and straw. Except for K2O by straw, early planted crops showed significantly increased absorption of nutrients by grain and straw. Increased nutrient uptake was recorded with the reduction in crop density, the highest being associated with crop density of 16 hills m-2 i.e. 25 cm x 25 cm. Improved yield performance was found with increased uptake of nutrients. Significantly higher level of P2O5 and K2O in soil was recorded at the end of two years of investigation under CRC.