Evaluating the implementation of fertilizer-based decision support systems to increase yield productivity and efficiency of irrigated rice farming in West Java

Abstract

Nutrient management and fertilizer application are paramount elements for increasing rice productivity. However, most of farmers are still applying fertilizer in an improper way and hence economic benefit of the yield remain low. The objective of this study was to examine various fertilizer recommendations and hence the best and efficient dose of fertilizer can be obtain to increase growth and yield of rice. This experiment was conducted in farmers irrigated lowland Sukabumi, West Java in dry season 2019. The material used was high yielding IR-64 rice variety subjected to six fertilizer recommendation, namely urea only (A), LKP (B), factory’s recommendation (C), PUTS, (D), KATAM (E) and farmer’s practice (F). This experiment was arranged in randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. The quantitative morphological and physiological traits and financial analysis were observed. The result showed that fertilizer significantly affected morphological, physiological parameters and grain yield of rice. PUTS and KATAM (9,7t/ha) treatments had higher grain yield compared to other treatments. Fertilizer by farmer’s practice tended lower in morphological, physiological and grain yield responses compared to other fertilizer recommendation. Similar pattern showed for yield components such as panicle number, grains number and % empty grain were also affected by fertilizer recommendation. Based on the financial analysis that treatment with LKP fertilizer recommendation had higher profit (75.61%) compared with farmer’s practice. That treatment can reduce fertilizer costs by 61.57%, can increase revenue by 14.04% and give a profit of Rp. 5,580,969,-.