Author(s): CS Chaudhari, NA Meshram, NH Khobragade, MS Joshi, PB Bansode, MC Kasture, SY Rakhonde, SM Khedkar, PP Sambhare, SV Nevase, KW Jadhav and SB Abhale

Abstract: An experiment entitled “Effect of zinc solubilizing fungi on growth, yield and economics of rice in lateritic soil” was conducted at Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, during the year of 2023-24. The results indicated that, application of zinc solubilizing fungi (ZnF: Aspergillus terreus) at 15 kg ha^-1 in conjunction with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (T₆) showed the greatest improvements in growth attributes such as height (90.73, 121.67 and 128.42 cm plant^-1) and number of tillers (13.80, 16.13 and 11.63 plant^-1) at the tillering, flowering and harvest stages of rice, respectively. Additionally, this treatment resulted in an improvement in grain yield of 47.35 q ha^-1 and straw yield of 55.68 q ha^-1. In option to use, significantly RDF + ZnF @ 1000 ml ha^-1 (seedling treatment) (T₉) was found to be at par with treatment (T₆) than other treatments. This approach demonstrated greater economic feasibility for farmers, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.16, and contributed to improved crop sustainability in lateritic, zinc-deficient acid soils. This was achieved through the integration of zinc-solubilizing fungi (ZnF) applied either through the soil or seed/seedling, in conjunction with the recommended fertilizer doses.

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