Variation and influence of LAI and PAR on rice yield under different site specific nutrient management practices

A field experiment was carried out to study the influence of leaf area index and PAR interception on yield of rice under different SSNM practices. Leaf area index increased continuously and plateau at flowering stage and similar trend was noticed in PAR interception and it commensurate with LAI. The results indicated a significant increase in leaf area index and PAR interception in SR-2 over Jhelum which consequently led to its higher grain yield. Among the different SSNM practices, significantly higher LAI and PAR interception was recorded for the treatments which received higher application of nutrients particularly nitrogen. Nutrient Expert guided treatment recorded the highest LAI and PAR interception over all other treatments except LCC 5 which was found at par with it. NER recorded significantly higher grain yield over recommended practice and LCC 4 and all other treatments studied. The decrease in growth parameters like LAI and PAR was greatest in case of omission plot. The decrease in growth parameters and final yield among other nutrient omissions was greatest due to omission of nitrogen and was followed by P and K omission. The study determined the significance of LAI and PAR interception on the yield of rice. The nutrient expert guided nutrient management practice was found significantly better over other nutrient guided practices in achieving optimum LAI and PAR interception which translated into higher grain yield. The study determined the importance of SSNM practices on leaf area index and PAR interception in rice crop and its consequent effect on final grain yield.