Effects of planting time and nitrogen management on microbial population, efficiency of nitrogen and yield of high protein rice during wet season

Studies on effect of different planting time (July, July-August and August) and nitrogen management of 100% RDN and 150% RDN with 2 different splits (1/2+1/4+1/4 and or 1/3+1/3+1/3) on the growth, yield and quality of high protein rice, was conducted during wet season of 2017 and 2018 at the research farm, National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha. Significantly higher bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes and grain yield were recorded with late planting (August) after harvest in soil during 2017, 2018 and in pooled data. Crop fertilized with 150% RDN in 3 splits (1/2+1/4+1/4) recorded higher bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes population in soil after harvesting and grain yield during both years and in pooled data, however, it was at par with 150% RDN in 3 splits (1/3+1/3+1/3). Minimum bacteria, fungus, actinomycetes population and grain yield were recorded under control (No nitrogen) at 30, 60, 90 DAT and at harvest during 2017, 2018 and in pooled data. Significantly higher partial factor productivity was recorded with application of 100% RDN in 3 splits (1/2+1/4+1/4) during 2018 and in pooled data, however, it was at par with 100% RDN in 3 splits (1/3+1/3+1/3).