Amelioration of biomass character of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) by mitigating abiotic stress with green manure application and organic biostimulant treatment

Abstract

The present research was undertaken to explore the applicability of Oman's agricultural soil to rice cultivation. The response of the Basmati rice yield and the uptake of soil nutrients to various fertilization regimes was studied. Small-scale pot-based experiments were conducted using Oman's agricultural soil with a randomized block design with biostimulant seed treatment followed by different combinations of green manures such as alfalfa, broad beans and sesbania aculeate and control treatment without fertilizers. Rice yield decreased only in control pots, although favourable yield levels in all other treatments were retained. All organically treated plots demonstrated a greater absorption of added phosphorus control. The findings revealed that the effect of alfalfa on several parameters such as an improvement in grain yield, nutrient content, increased microbial biomass and soil enzymatic activity was more pronounced than that of broad beans and sesbania aculeate. This result can be due to higher organic matter growth and more generous supply and uptake of nutrient cations through the introduction of alfalfa. The research results suggest that green manure with low carbon to nitrogen ratio can improve nutrient availability, soil microbial biomass and therefore can be able to produce good yields in rice cultivation systems.