Abstract

Field experiments were conducted consecutively for three seasons at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Four rice based cropping systems were evaluated. Application of 50 per cent and 100 per cent recommended K fertilizer was included for the respective crops. Skipping of K application to any two of the component crops of the cropping systems and K application to all the three crops were included. The highest biomass production was recorded in rice- rice-rice system followed by rice-rice-soybean system. Half and full dose of potash produced the same biomass. Rice-rice-soybean system produced the highest rice grain equivalent. Potassium fertilizer application to all the three component crops of the cropping systems resulted in higher rice grain equivalent than that from K fertilization to any one of the crops.

Keywords: Rice Based Cropping Systems, Potassium Fertilization, Biomass Production, Rice Grain Equivalent.