Influence of integrated nutrient management on the physiology of Chinnar ‘a local land race’ of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the staple cereal crop of India as well as Tamil Nadu. Consumers tend to prefer local cultivars and landraces of rice which have region-specific importance. Chinnar is such a local landrace of rice that is preferred by the consumers of Madurai because of its nutritional quality. Like other cultivars, Chinnar responds to added nutrients for enhancement of growth. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is one of the suitable options in crop and soil health management where inorganic and organic sources of nutrients are used. This study was carried out during 2022 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to evaluate the influence of INM on the growth of the Chinnar landrace of rice. Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with respect to inorganic nutrient sources viz., fertilizers (Urea, SSP and MOP) @ 50% and the remaining with organic manures through poultry manure, goat manure, farm yard manure, enriched farm yard manure and vermicompost were applied as per nitrogen equivalent basis. Results revealed higher leaf area index, chlorophyll content of Chinnar at various stages of growth phase. Thus, from the study, it is concluded that INM can be preferred to obtain higher growth attributes of Chinnar rice in Madurai conditions of Tamil Nadu.