Foliar Spray of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Raised Bed Increases Yield of Transplanted Aman Rice over Conventional Method

M. H. M. Bhuyan,Mst. R. Ferdousi,M. T. Iqbal

doi:10.5402/2012/184953

Abstract

Bed planting with foliar nitrogen fertilizer application of rice production systems is very new, and research on it is still at introductory phase. Influence of foliar application of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of transplanted aman rice and evaluation of water and fertilizer application efficiency of rice-fallow-rice cropping system were investigated under raised bed cultivation method. Results showed that foliar spray in bed planting method increased grain yield of transplanted aman rice up to 9.33% over conventional method. Foliar nitrogen fertilizer application in bed planting method increased the number of panicle m−2, number of grains panicle−1, and 1000-grain weight of rice than the conventional method. Sterility percentage and weed infestation were lower at foliar nitrogen fertilizer application in bed planting method than the conventional method. Thirty-nine percent of irrigation water and time for application could be saved through foliar nitrogen spray in bed planting than conventional method. Water use efficiency for grain and biomass production was higher by foliar nitrogen fertilizer application in bed planting than conventional method. Likewise, agronomic efficiency of foliar nitrogen fertilizer application in bed planting method was higher than the conventional method. This study concluded that foliar nitrogen spray in bed planting method is a new approach to get fertilizer and water use efficiency as well as higher yield compared to existing agronomic practice in Bangladesh.

Highlights

Foliar spray of fertilizer did increase the crop yields and reduced the quantities of fertilizer applied through soil
Foliar spray in bed planting had more than 22 panicle number m−2, 25grain number per panicle, and 0.22 gm in 1000-grain wt than conventional method (Table 1)
Panicle length, and harvest index were higher by foliar nitrogen fertilizer spray in bed planting than conventional method

Summary

Introduction

Foliar spray of fertilizer did increase the crop yields and reduced the quantities of fertilizer applied through soil. Foliar fertilization does not totally replace soilapplied fertilizer but it does increase the uptake and the efficiency of the nutrients applied to the soil. This application technique is especially useful for micronutrients but can be used for major nutrients like N, P, and K basically because the amount applied at any time is small and it requires several applications to meet the needs of a crop. The increased efficiency reduces the need for soilapplied fertilizer, reduces leaching and run-off of nutrients, reducing the impact on the environment of fertilizer salts [11,12,13]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion