Influence of Organic, Inorganic and Integrated Cultivation Practices on Grain Quality and Nutritional Attributes of Pusa Basmati-1 Rice

Pusa Basmati-1 is a widely cultivated aromatic rice variety recognized for its superior grain quality and high market value. Variations in cultivation practices are known to influence both physical and nutritional attributes of rice grains; however, comparative information under different production systems remains limited. In this study, milling quality, grain characteristics, proximate composition, and mineral profile of Pusa Basmati-1 rice grown under organic, inorganic, and integrated cultivation systems were evaluated. Milling parameters, including hulling yield, milling yield, and degree of polishing, showed no significant variation among the cultivation methods. In contrast, grain quality traits were distinctly influenced by cultivation practices, with organically grown rice exhibiting significantly higher grain length, thousand kernel weight, and grain slenderness, while inorganic cultivation resulted in significantly higher grain hardness. Proximate composition parameters such as moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and energy content remained statistically comparable across treatments. Mineral analysis revealed significantly higher concentrations of iron, copper, and manganese in organically cultivated rice, whereas phosphorus and zinc contents were significantly higher under inorganic cultivation. Overall, the findings indicate that cultivation practices selectively influence grain morphology and mineral accumulation without adversely affecting milling quality, highlighting the potential of organic and integrated systems for improving the nutritional quality of Pusa Basmati-1 rice.