Effects of Different Biofertilizer Sources on Growth and Yield Components of Spring Rice (Oryza sativa L.) at Baniyani, Jhapa, Nepal

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AgroEnvironmental Sustainability
Sakshi Mandal , Amrit Karki , Swagat Poudel

Abstract

Rice is the principal staple crop of Nepal and plays a critical role in national food security, farm income, and rural livelihoods. However, sustained productivity is increasingly constrained by declining soil fertility, excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers, escalating input costs, and environmental concerns. In the eastern Terai region, particularly Jhapa district, spring rice cultivation is expanding, yet evidence-based recommendations on sustainable nutrient management remain limited. This study evaluated the effects of different biofertilizer and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth and yield components of spring rice. A field experiment was conducted from February to June 2025 at Baniyani, Jhapa, Nepal, under the Rice Super-Zone of the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP). Seven nutrient treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications using the variety Hardinath-1. Growth parameters, yield attributes, and grain yield were recorded and analyzed statistically. Significant treatment effects (p<0.001) were observed for all major parameters. NPK application produced the tallest plants (114.86 cm), highest panicle weight (5.85g), maximum grains per panicle (118.66), and the highest grain yield (7.64 tha-1). Among organic amendments, mustard seed cake performed comparably, recording the highest tiller number per hill (32.61), maximum test weight (37.00g), and a competitive grain yield (7.30 tha-1). Goat manure resulted in moderate yield improvement, whereas the unfertilized control exhibited the lowest performance across traits. Overall, while inorganic fertilization maximized yield, mustard seed cake emerged as a promising and sustainable organic alternative for enhancing productivity of spring rice in the eastern Terai of Nepal.

Keywords

fertilizer rate mycorrhiza paddy mustard seed cake sustainable nutrient management yield performance

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