EFFECT OF NITROGEN ON PHENOLOGY, LIGHT INTERCEPTION AND GROWTH IN AROMATIC RICE

Abstract

-1 produce the tallest plant and Chinigura without nitrogen application produced the shortest plants. The internode length and culm hollowness significantly increased with the increase in N fertilizer levels. The lodging score was higher with the higher amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied. The cultivar Shakkorkhora remained erect up to 60 kg N ha -1 . Lodging occurred at different stage of grain development, Kataribhog lodged within four days after heading at 120 kg N ha -1 while it took 26 days to lodge at 0 kg N ha -1 . Irrespective of cultivars and nitrogen levels, higher N dose produced higher number of tillers. Leaf area index increased sharply after transplanting attaining a peak at heading stage and then decreased gradually. In non-stacking plant, all the cultivars showed lower LAI at maturity stage than stacking plant. At heading stage the higher light interception was found in all the cultivars with the increment of N levels.