Effect of nitrogen and sulphur on the growth and yield of T. Aman rice (BRRI Dhan 87)

Efficient use of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) is crucial for enhancing rice productivity in Bangladesh, where nutrient deficiencies significantly limit yields. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of N and S fertilization on the growth, yield, and soil fertility of traditional T. Aman rice (BRRI Dhan 87). A field experiment was conducted during the 2019 T. Aman season at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 12 N-S fertilizer combinations and three replications. Results revealed that N and S significantly (p<0.05) influenced plant growth, yield attributes, and soil properties. The highest grain yield (5.67 t ha-¹) and straw yield (6.88 t ha-¹) were recorded under the N120S12 treatment, representing a 98.9% yield increase compared to the control (2.85 t ha-¹). The same treatment produced the tallest plants (131.78 cm), highest effective tillers (15.33 hill-¹), filled grains (140.37 panicle-¹), and 1000-grain weight (57.00 g). Post-harvest soil analysis showed improved organic matter (1.42%), total N (0.66%), and available P (27.03 ppm) under N120S12. The findings manifest that an integrated application of 120 kg N ha-¹ and 12 kg S ha-¹ optimizes yield performance and enhances soil fertility while minimizing resource losses. These results provide a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving rice productivity in Bangladesh in similar agro-ecological zones.