Sushmita Munda

Combined application of rice husk biochar and fly ash improved the yield of lowland rice

The effects of rice husk biochar (BC) and coal fly ash (FA) on growth and yield of rice and soil properties were investigated in a lowland rice soil. All growth parameters and yield were positively influenced by the integrated application of BC, FA and chemical fertilisers compared with sole application of chemical fertilisers. Yield increase was 16.4% when BC+FA was applied together with 50% of the recommended dose of nitrogen (N) compared with the recommended dose of N, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Post-harvest soil analysis suggested that BC and FA both act as a supplier, as well as a reservoir of nutrients. Accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plant parts after harvest was below the toxicity threshold for plants and humans. There was also no significant change in microbial population compared with the initial soil. Therefore, combined application of BC and FA supplemented with chemical fertilisers could be recommended to improve soil fertility and crop productivity without affecting the soil quality.

Correction: Use of molecular markers in identification and characterization of resistance to rice blast in India

Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive disease causing huge losses to rice yield in different parts of the world. Therefore, an attempt has been made to find out the resistance by screening and studying the genetic diversity of eighty released rice varieties by National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (NRVs) using molecular markers linked to twelve major blast resistance (R) genes viz Pib, Piz, Piz-t, Pik, Pik-p, Pikm Pik-h, Pita/Pita-2, Pi2, Pi9, Pi1 and Pi5. Out of which, nineteen varieties (23.75%) showed resistance, twenty one were moderately resistant (26.25%) while remaining forty varieties (50%) showed susceptible in uniform blast nursery. Rice varieties possessing blast resistance genes varied from four to twelve and the frequencies of the resistance genes ranged from 0 to 100%. The cluster analysis grouped the eighty NRVs into two major clusters at 63% level of genetic similarity coefficient. The PIC value for seventeen markers varied from 0 to 0.37 at an average of 0.20. Out of seventeen markers, only five markers, 195R-1, Pi9-i, Pita3, YL155/YL87 and 40N23r corresponded to three broad spectrum R genes viz. Pi9, Pita/Pita2 and Pi5 were found to be significantly associated with the blast disease with explaining phenotypic variance from 3.5% to 7.7%. The population structure analysis and PCoA divided the entire 80 NRVs into two sub-groups. The outcome of this study would help to formulate strategies for improving rice blast resistance through genetic studies, plant-pathogen interaction, identification of novel R genes, development of new resistant varieties through marker-assisted breeding for improving rice blast resistance in India and worldwide.

Evaluation of variability and environmental stability of grain quality and agronomic parameters of pigmented rice (O. sativa L.)

Eleven pigmented rice genotypes were evaluated to estimate genetic parameters, heritability and association. The results indicated that, genotypic variation was high among the lines. The distinct seasonal effect on plant performance for antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin, flavonoids, head rice recovery and test weights was also observed. Wet season favoured the crop performance in all genotypes as compared to drought conditions. The differential accumulation of different quality traits such as AOA, anthocyanin content, flavonoids content, etc showed high heritability, which would be transfer to high yeilding popular rice cultivars through conventional or geneticaly modification techniques. The line Mamihunger was chosen as donor of the high-quality rice grain and Annapurna for high yield. Further, Mamihunger are foreseen to be good in nutritional quality and industry use.

WEED MANAGEMENT IN AEROBIC RICE: ROLE OF ESTABLISHMENT METHODS AND HERBICIDES

Weed management in rice depends on establishment method and proper selection of herbicide. A field experiment was conducted during dry seasons of 2013 and 2014 to develop a robust strategy for effective weed management in aerobic rice system for tropical rice belts. The efficacy of post-emergent herbicides bispyribac-sodium, azimsulfuron and flucetosulfuron were evaluated under different rice establishment methods (row sowing, spot seeding and broadcasting). Grass weed species constituted 58–68% of the total weed density across the establishment methods in the weedy check treatment. The total weed density and weed biomass were lowest in spot seeding with azimsulfuron (35 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha −1 ) 30 and 60 days after sowing. Among herbicides, use of azimsulfuron caused the highest grain yield (5.2 Mg ha −1 ), realizing 72% increase in grain yield over the weedy check. Yields in row sowing and spot seeding were similar and the same was verified when comparing yields in plots treated with bispyribac-sodium and azimsulfuron. Based on our findings and considering both weed presence and grain yield, azimsulfuron in spot seeding can be recommended in aerobic rice.