Influence of site-specific fertilization ongrowth, grain yield and fertilizer use efficiency of rice in Petchaburi province

Research Title : Influence of site-specific fertilization on growth, grain yield and fertilizer use efficiency of rice in Petchaburi province

Researcher : ผศ.อุไรวรรณ ไอยสุวรรณ์

Office : Silpakorn University

Research Grants : Research and Innovation for Transfer technology to Rural Community Project

Year : 2011 

Abstract

An experiment aimed to quantify growth characteristics, grain yields and nitrogen use efficiency of rice (Pathum Thani) grown in Sapphaya Soil Series was conducted. A completely randomized block design with 6 replications was used. Treatments were 5 fertilization regimes, namely (1) no fertilization (control), (2) farmer practice’s fertilization (F), (3) site-specific fertilization (SSF), (4) fertilization at 2 folds of SSF (2SSF) and (5) fertilization at 3 folds of SSF (3SSF). The results showed that tillers per plant at 30 days after transplanting and the height at 50 days after transplanting of the F was significantly highest (P<0.05). Tillers per plant of the 3SSF at 50 days after transplanting was numerically greatest (14.25 tillers per plant) but did not significantly differ (P>0.05) from the F (14.04 tillers per plant). Nevertheless, both were significantly greater (P<0.05) than the others. The F had significantly highest (P<0.05) grains per spike (99.38 grains) and grain yields (1,195.25 kg/rai). However, with regard to agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency and economic returns, the SSF significantly outweighed (P<0.05) the others. In conclusion, soil must be chemically evaluated before growing Pathum Thani rice. Together with the SSF, rice can provide increased returns.

Keywords: Rice, Sappaya Soil Series, Sit-specific Fertilization