Effects of fertilizer micro-dosing in nursery on rice productivity in Madagascar

Abstract

ABSTRACT Currently, most rice farmers in the central highlands of Madagascar do not apply mineral fertilizer in their fields and we investigated whether a fertilizer micro-dose applied to the seedling nursery could serve as an entry point for intensification. Effects of nursery applications of a micro-dose of mineral (P and NPK) or locally produced sources of fertilizers (Guanomad, Vermicompost) on seedling vigour were evaluated, as was final grain yield after transplanting to main fields that were either not fertilized (farmers’ practice) or received combinations of mineral N, P and K fertilizer. Applying only P to the nursery had minor effects and we conclude that early seedling vigor is more limited by N than P, while grain yield in the main field was more limited by P than N. Carry-over effects of the nursery application of NPK and of guano on final grain yield were observed under farmers’ practice and when only urea was applied. The nursery NPK application significantly increased agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of urea application. We conclude that the low cost of micro-dosing NPK in the nursery makes this a profitable option for small-scale farmers cultivating rice on poor-fertility soils. Sole urea application in the main field is not a profitable option but would at least need additional nursery NPK application as an insurance against losing investments in N fertilization. Longer-term sustainability would require direct nutrient inputs into the main plot and additional low-cost nutrient management options should therefore be considered.