Productivity of hybrid rice (Mestizo 27) under different water and nutrient management systems

Abstract

This study examines the productivity of hybrid rice under different water and nutrient management systems. At Isabela State University, Cabagan, Isabela, we conducted a field experiment to determine the productivity of hybrid rice production under different water and nutrient management strategies. It was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications. Water management schemes as main plot consisted of alternate wetting and drying at -15 cm (A1), alternate wetting and drying at -20 cm (A2), field capacity (A3), and continuous flooding (A4), while nutrient management strategies as subplot consisted of recommended rate (B1), leaf color chart (B2), critical growth periods (B3), and rice crop management (B4). The Mestizo 27 subjected to nutrient management through the leaf color chart (B2) gained highest on the number of productive tillers, filled grains, biomass weight, and grain yield. Similarly, the interaction effect of field capacity and leaf color chart (A3xB2) resulted in numerous productive tillers, which increased the yield, net income, and return on investment. Moreover, water management through the field capacity (A3), continuous flooding (A4), and AWD-15 (A1) in combination with leaf color charts (B2) produced highest grain yield among treatments. Hence, the use of leaf color chart in combination with different water management schemes was seen as effective in increasing the yield of Mestizo 27 even beyond safe AWD-15.