Impact of Leaf Clipping and Split Application of Nitrogen on Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Economic Returns in Bridegroom Rice

Abstract

Leaf clipping represents a cost-effective and practical agronomic intervention aimed at enhancing crop yield. This technique involves the removal of approximately one-third of the leaf area and is considered one of the least expensive management strategies available to farmers. In addition to its potential to improve yield, leaf clipping helps mitigate lodging under conditions of excessive vegetative growth by reducing canopy density and plant height. Furthermore, the excised foliage can be utilised as fresh fodder for livestock, thereby providing an additional on-farm resource without adversely affecting the final economic grain yield. An experiment was carried out at Annamalai University during Samba 2023 to study the impact of leaf clipping and split application of nitrogen on productivity and economic returns in Bridegroom rice. The experiment was arranged in FRBD with 3 replications, testing two factors: leaf clipping (3 levels) and nitrogen splits (4 levels). The results showed that 1/3rd leaf clipping at 45 DAT  combined with 6 equal nitrogen splits (basal, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 DAT) registered higher yields (Grain -3950 kg/ha & Straw - 6530 kg/ha), Nutrient uptake: N (256 kg/ha), P (24.09 kg/ha), K (271.89 kg/ha) and Nitrogen use efficiency: Agronomic Efficiency (13 kg/kg) and Apparent Nitrogen Recovery (51.6%) over other treatment combination. This combination also recorded higher Economic returns: Gross income (Rs.108, 760), net income (Rs. 58,447), and BCR (2.16). Hence, it is suggested that this combination is a promising strategy for improving Bridegroom rice productivity and profitability.