Effects of integrated nutrient management on sucrose phosphate synthase enzyme activity and grain quality traits in rice.

Cropping systems and management practices can greatly affect rice crop, finally determining their grain yield and quality. In this study, we evaluated the effects of integrated nutrient management practices on sucrose phosphate synthase enzyme (SPS) activity and grain quality traits of rice. Field experiments were conducted at North Bank Plain Agro-climatic Zone of Assam, India from 2013 to 2015 on three rice ecosystems (winter, summer, and pre-monsoon). Selected fertilizer treatments were NPK as recommended inorganic fertilizer, NPK + cow dung, NPK + whole parts of the green manure Sesbania aculeata, NPK + compost of Azolla caroliniana and NPK + rice husk dust. NPK + Azolla compost application resulted in higher SPS activity compared to control. A significant relationship between panicle biomass and SPS enzyme activity was observed in the rice plants grown in different ecosystems. Integrated nutrient fertilizers in rice soil had a significant impact on the grain quality of rice. Grain nitrogen and crude protein content were higher at NPK + green manure Sesbania aculeata applied field irrespective of the ecosystems. NPK and Azolla compost were effective in improving grain productivity and grain quality parameters viz; total carbohydrates, starch, and amylose in rice crop. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01148-w. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2022.