The shifting agriculture (popularly known as ‘Jhum’) in north-eastern Himalayas is plagued by substantial reduction in paddy yield and soil quality. The region’s paddy yield and soil condition may be improved by the use of right integrated nutrient management (INM) technology on the jhum lands. We used 7 treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design (RBD) to evaluate the soil health and yield of direct-seeded upland paddy (Oryza sativa L.) in this study. The results showed that the combination of inorganic fertilization, organic manure, and bio-fertilizers (T₅) significantly (P < 0.05) increased paddy height, number of tillers hill⁻¹, number of grains panicle⁻¹ and test seed weight. Simultaneously, these combined treatments significantly increased soil organic carbon and available Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) contents. All the soil chemical properties except the soil pH significantly (p < 0.05; n = 7) affected various growth and yield parameters of paddy. The INM of organic manure and bio-fertilizers (T₇) significantly enhanced the soil’s biological properties. Thus, INM technology is recommended to enhance paddy yield while sustaining the soil health in upland paddy cultivation.

Background: Replenishing the lost nutrients through the use of various soil amendments is vital in order to maintain soil fertility for sustained productivity in jhumlnd. Integrated Nutrient Management, can boost the upland rice productivity in jhumland by building up the lost soil nutrients. Methods: The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of upland paddy (Oryza sativa L.) in Lai-Lad, Jirang Block of Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, India; during 2019 and 2020. Randomised block design with 12 treatments was applied for the trial with 3 replications. Result: Application of 100% recommended doses of fertilizers + farmyard manure + Azospirillum lipoferum + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria + potassium mobilising bacteria + Glomus + zinc solubilizing bacteria (T10) significantly increased plant growth in both years of cultivation. Grain yield, harvest index and benefit cost ratio of upland paddy were at par among the treatments and were higher in 2nd cropping year. Integrated nutrient management could increase the growth characters, maintain sustained yield and economic profitability of upland paddy in hilly terrains of north-east India, under jhum cultivation.

Background: The study looks at integrated nutrient treatments’ energy requirements and the link between energy input and output and economic benefits. The experiment was conducted during 2019 to 2020 to compare the energy budget and monetary returns under INM modules in upland paddy. Methods: A total of 12 organic, inorganic and INM modules were evaluated employing randomised block design. Fertilizers, organic manures, bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum lipoferum, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, potassium mobilizing bacteria, Glomus and zinc solubilizing bacteria were used. Result: Energy output and net energy were highest with INM treatments (T10 - 100% recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) + Farm Yard Manure + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB), while energy use efficiency, energy productivity and energy efficiency ratio were highest in control (T1) in 2019 and in 2020 recorded the highest in T11 (Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB). Other treatments, except T11 and T12 - FYM + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB, were at par. Although in T10 benefit cost ratio was lower than T9 (100% of RDF + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB), T10 produced maximum returns than other treatments. Due to its high returns, despite the need for non-renewable resources and low energy use efficiency, integration of various soil amendments were significant for maintaining production sustainability. However, long term experimentation needed to ascertain the overall benefit of INM practices in upland paddy in hilly regions of North East India.