Abstract

The completion of the Manimuthar Project in Tirunelveli District has raised the importance of rice crop in the taluks of Nanguneri, Tiruchendur and portions of Ambasamudram Taluk. Areas which have been erstwhile dependent on rain or tanks have now come under assured irrigation and with the main change, the fertilizer application practice has gained importance. Innumerable trials conducted throughout India and elsewhere have clearly brought out the need for fertiliser application in rice fields. Ramiah et al (1952) stated that in India on an average, an increased yield of 334 to 556 kg of grain was obtained from one hectare when 22 to 35 kg. of N was added as top dressing. Fertiliser trials on paddy conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (1953-'56) have shown that the response in Madras State has been of the order of 150 kg. grain per hectare at a level of 9 kg. N per hectare and 200 kg. grain per hectare at 18 kg. N per hectare. Ghose et al (1956) found that the rate of response varied considerably from place to place and at different levels of nitrogen. Ghose et al (1956) at Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack reported that both surface application at planting and pellet deep placement 3 to 4 weeks after planting have given higher yield responses than the customary surface application. An experiment was conducted at the Model Agronomic Centre, Melaseval in Tirunelveli district to find out the optimum requirements of nitrogen, methods of application and time of application, The results obtained during four seasons (Samba seasons 1962-63 and 1963-64 and summer seasons 1963-64 and 1964-'65) are presented in this article.

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