Effects of Irrigation, Fertilizer and Manure on Pore-Water Nutrient Availability, Yield and Change of Soil Chemical Properties with Rice-Rice Cropping

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effects irrigation, fertilizer and manure on pore-water nutrient availability, rice yield and soil fertility improvement. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with a distribution of irrigation (I1: traditional irrigation, i.e. continuous flooding and I2: saturated condition) to the main plots and fertilizers to the sub plots. The fertilizer treatments were T0 = Control, T1 = N120P25K60S20Zn2 (recommended dose of chemical fertilizer, RDCF), T2 = 50% RDCF + 5 ton cowdung ha− 1, T3 = 70% RDCF + 3 ton cowdung ha−1, T4 = 50% RDCF + 5 ton compost ha−1, T5 = 70% RDCF + 3 ton compost ha−1, T6 = 50% RDCF + 3.5 ton poultry manure ha−1, T7 = 70% RDCF + 2.1 ton poultry manure ha−1. The rice growth and yields were not significantly affected by continuous flooding and saturated irrigation. The higher grain yields were obtained from 70% RDCF + 2.1 ton poultry manure ha−1 or 70% RDCF + 3 ton compost ha−1 with saturated level of irrigation. The higher levels pore-water N, P and K concentrations were found in inorganic fertilizer plus manure applied treatments. Pore-water P and K concentrations decreased with increasing days after transplantation. The highest level of organic matter was found in the post-harvest soils where inorganic fertilizer plus cowdung were used and soil pH increased by using poultry manure.