Biofertilizer Application in Rice

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Questions and Answers

What is the gross return per hectare for treatment T1 (BGA)?

59453

Which treatment has the highest benefit-cost ratio?

T12 (N120 + P60 + K60)

What is the net return per hectare for treatment T5 (AM fungi)?

37715

Which two treatments have a benefit-cost ratio of 2.01?

T8 (Azolla + PSB) and T9 (BGA + AM fungi) Signup and view all the answers

What is the LSD (Least Significant Difference) value for the benefit-cost ratio at p=0.05?

0.26 Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment has the lowest gross return per hectare?

T3 (Azotobacter) Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of increase in rice yield when using BGA as a biofertilizer?

10-15% Signup and view all the answers

How much nitrogen does BGA contribute to the soil per hectare per season?

25-30 kg N Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of exposure to sunlight required for mass production of BGA culture?

Not specified Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for a thick algal mat to form in mass production of BGA culture?

15-21 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended time for broadcasting BGA culture after transplanting rice seedlings?

5-7 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of association formed between Azolla and Anabaena azollae?

Symbiotic association Signup and view all the answers

What is the biomass content of Azolla?

Up to 5.2 t DM Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using Azolla in rice cultivation, apart from nitrogen supply?

Reduces weed growth and volatilization of top-dressed urea Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of using biofertilizers?

They are a renewable source of nutrients Signup and view all the answers

How much chemical fertilizer can be replaced by biofertilizers?

25-30% Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of biofertilizers on soil texture and structure?

Improve texture, structure and water holding capacity of soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of seed treatment with biofertilizers in direct seeded rice?

To provide a thin coating of biofertilizer to the seeds Signup and view all the answers

In the seedling root dip method, how long should the seedlings be dipped in the suspension?

8-10 hours Signup and view all the answers

What do bacteria in biofertilizers use for their metabolism?

Organic carbon Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of root exudates in the process of biofertilization?

They become food for the bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of biofertilizers on grain yields?

Increase grain yields by 10-40% Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest grain yield obtained in the experiment?

4.75 t/ha (T12) Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment resulted in the lowest grain yield?

3.74 t/ha (T3) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the highest and lowest straw yields?

0.96 t/ha Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment combinations resulted in straw yields higher than 16.50 t/ha?

T6, T8, T9, T10, and T12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the LSD (p=0.05) value for grain yield?

0.56 Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment that resulted in the highest grain yield with the use of microorganisms?

T9 (BGA + AM fungi) Signup and view all the answers

What was the protein content in the control group in 2007?

7.11% Signup and view all the answers

Which biofertilizer combination resulted in the highest grain yield in 2008?

GM+ FYM +BGA Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total biofertilizer production in 2010-11 was contributed by PSB?

50% Signup and view all the answers

What was the increase in protein yield in the GM+BGA treatment compared to the control in 2007?

135.9 kg/ha Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of biofertilizers according to the conclusion?

Low cost inputs leading to long-term sustainability of soil productivity Signup and view all the answers

What region contributed the highest percentage to total biofertilizer production in 2010-11?

South Signup and view all the answers

What was the protein content in the FYM treatment in 2008?

7.80% Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of biofertilizers according to the conclusion?

The amount of nutrients supplied may not be enough to meet the total need of crops for higher yields Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biofertilizers in Rice Production

Biofertilizers can increase rice yield by 10-15% and fix atmospheric nitrogen, contributing 25-30 kg N/ha/season.
Types of biofertilizers used in rice production:
- BGA (Blue-Green Algae)
- Azolla
- Azospirillum
- Phosphobacteria
Mass production of BGA culture involves:
- Using shallow trays with galvanized sheets
- Spreading soil and SSP (Single Super Phosphate)
- Adding water and algal culture
- Exposing to sunlight and collecting dry algal flakes
Method of application of BGA:
- Broadcasting 10 kg soil-based culture/ha 5-7 days after transplanting rice seedlings
- Maintaining sufficient water (5-10 cm) for 15 days
- Allowing algal mat to form and settle

Azolla as a Biofertilizer

Azolla is a free-floating water fern that forms symbiotic associations with Anabaena azollae.
It requires standing water for establishment and can reduce volatilization of top-dressed urea.
Azolla has high biomass content (up to 5.2 t DM) and high protein content, making it an excellent green manure and potential rice biofertilizer.

Advantages of Biofertilizers

Renewable source of nutrients
Sustains soil health
Supplements chemical fertilizers (replacing 25-30% of chemical fertilizers)
Increases grain yields by 10-40%
Improves soil texture, structure, and water-holding capacity
Has no adverse effects on plant growth and soil fertility
Stimulates plant growth by secreting growth hormones and fungistatic and antibiotic-like substances
Solubilizes and mobilizes nutrients
Eco-friendly, non-pollutant, and cost-effective method

Seed Treatment and Seedling Root Dip Methods

Seed treatment involves mixing Azospirillum and PSB biofertilizers with water and applying it to the seeds.
Seedling root dip method involves mixing the biofertilizers with water and dipping the seedlings' roots for 8-10 hours before transplanting.

Effect of Biofertilizers on Grain and Straw Yield

Different treatments of biofertilizers (BGA, Azolla, Azotobacter, PSB, AM fungi, and their combinations) resulted in varying grain and straw yields.
The highest grain yield was observed in the treatment with BGA + PSB (4.63 t/ha).

Effect of Biofertilizers on Economics of Basmati Rice Cultivation

Different treatments of biofertilizers resulted in varying gross and net returns, as well as benefit-cost ratios.
The highest benefit-cost ratio was observed in the treatment with BGA + PSB (2.05).

Production Scenario of Biofertilizers

The production of biofertilizers in different regions of the country (2010-11) shows:
- South region: 54%
- West region: 34%
- North region: 7%
- North East region: 3%
- East region: 2%

Conclusions

Biofertilizers are low-cost inputs that lead to long-term sustainability of soil productivity.
They are effective in improving both quantity and quality of different crops.
A pragmatic approach is needed to develop a rational and effective combination of biofertilizers and sources of nutrients for optimum crop yields.

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Description

Learn about the use of biofertilizers such as Azolla, Azospirillum, and Phosphobacteria to increase rice yield and contribute to nitrogen fixation. This quiz covers the benefits and effects of biofertilizer application in rice cultivation.