Influence of Nitrogen Levels and Zinc Application on Morphological and Physiological Attributes of Rice Varieties

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif and Rabi, 2018 at the College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to study the effect of different nitrogen levels and zinc application on growth and development in paddy. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three varieties as main plots, and six nutrient levels as sub plots and replicated thrice. Among the varieties Kunaram Sannalu has recorded lowest Plant height and Telangana Sona has recorded highest Plant height (63.3, 98.8 and 103.3 cm at vegetative, flowering and grain filling stages respectively), with maximum stem thickness 5.37, 6.09 and 6.17 mm at vegetative, flowering and grain filling stage respectively), Crop growth rate (13.451 25.77 and 8.86 g m-2 day-1 at vegetative, flowering and grain filling stage respectively), Total dry matter (2959, 7585 and 8909 kg ha-1 at vegetative, flowering and grain filling stages respectively) and had taken more number of days to panicle initiation (67), flowering (86) and maturity (122). Tella Hamsa has recorded less stem thickness, Crop growth rate, total dry matter and has taken less number of days to panicle initiation (64), flowering (83) and maturity (118). Application of 25% higher than RDN + 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray resulted in maximum plant height, stem thickness, crop growth rate, and total dry matter.