Split application of muriate of potash and sulphate of potash on growth, yield attributes, uptake and availability of nutrients in lowland rice CV. PY-5

Field experiments were conducted in Typic Chromusterts of the experimental farm of the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India to study the split application vis-a-vis customary full dose/basal application of different Potassic fertilizers viz: muriate of potash (MOP) and sulphate of potash (SOP) on rice. The soil was low in available N, medium in available P, high in available K and low in available S. Results showed that split application of potassium was found to be better than entire basal application. Application of 50 per cent K₂O each at tillering and panicle initiation stages increased the growth and yield attributes of rice and N, P, K and S uptake. Similarly it has a positive impact on available potassium and sulphur. However, available nitrogen and phosphorus was higher in treatment where the entire application of K was done as basal. Among the sources tried, MOP was superior to SOP.