RED AMARANTH GROWTH IN RESPONSE TO NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

Abstract

The study was conducted at the farm of BSMRAU. Gazipur during the period of November to December. 2010 to enhance the production of red amaranth (Anwrunh/us irieolor cv•. BAR!Ia) shak I) through the improvement of growth and yield of red amaranth by optimizing the appropriate levels of nitrogen fertilizer. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete l3lock Design (RCI3I)) comprising six treatments with four replicates each. The treatment combinations were r0 (o kg N had ), T1 (50 kg N ha5, T2 (75 kg N hi'). T3 (I00 kg N ha). L, (125 kgN ha)and T(I5() kg N hi') respectively. N was applied as urea fertilizer and difkrent rates were used according to the treatments. P. K and S were applied as TSP. MOP and gypsum i 23. 17 and 4 kg ha". respectively on being calculated by the methods of RARC (2008). Obtained data on plant height, leaf number, root-shoot growth and yield encompassing nutrient accumulation both in root and shoot revealed that nitrogen fertilization had a signilicant (p<O.Ol effect on the short term growth and yield of red amaranth. Further relationship between N. P. K. S. Ca. Mu. Fe and Zn uptake and applied N doses followed by preferential BCR (benefit cost ratio) indicated that nitrogen fertilizer applied at the rate of 150 kg N ha' had the better potential lhr the production of red amaranth.