Performance of liquid organic formulations in combination with vermicompost on yield, quality and economics of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa)

The present experiment has been conducted at the instructional farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal during kharif 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the effects of various organic liquid formulations on the yield, grain quality, soil health and economic viability of Tulaipanji rice cultivation. Treatment comprising of T1, vermicompost @ 3 t/ha + Sanjivak 20% foliar spray (FS) at 45 days after transplanting (DAT); T2, vermicompost @ 3 t/ha + Jivamrut 20% FS at 45 DAT; T3, vermicompost @ 3 t/ha + Amrit Pani 20% FS at 45 DAT; T4, vermicompost @ 3 t/ha + Panchgavya 20% FS at 45 DAT; T5, vermicompost @ 3 t/ha + vermicompost tea 20% FS at 45 DAT; T6, RDF (50-25-25 kg N-P-K kg/ha) and T7 (Absolute control). The combined application of vermicompost and panchgavya has protuberant outcome on yield attributes and which ultimately facilitated in attainment of 16.30 and 7.39% higher grain and straw yield, respectively over 100% RDF. Application of vermicompost @ 3 t/ha and panchgavya 20% FS at 45 DAT also recorded highest milling (63.4%), head rice recovery (57.8%) and head rice yield (93.1%). Vermicompost and panchgavya also showed superiority in achieving 5.0, 3.96 and 4.40% higher protein, amylose and carbohydrate over 100% chemically treated plot. Concerning economics, application of vermicompost + panchagavya had the highest net returns ($959.30/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.26), making it the most profitable treatment. Overall, this study supports the use of organic formulations in Tulaipanji rice cultivation for enhanced productivity without compromising grain and soil quality.