Response of lowland rice and common bean grown in rotation to soil fertility levels on a Varzea soil

Abstract

Brazil has approximately 30 million hectares of lowland areas, known locally as “Varzea,” but very little is known about their fertility and crop production potential. A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years to evaluate response of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in rotation with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on a Varzea (low, Humic Gley) soil. Rice was grown at low (no fertilizer), medium (100 kg N ha−1, 44 kg P ha−1, 50 kg K ha−1, 40 kg FTE-BR 12 ha−1), and high (200 kg N ha−1, 88 kg P ha−1, 100 kg K ha−1, 80 kg FTE-BR 12 ha−1 fritted trace element-Brazil 12 as a source of micronutrients) soil fertility levels. Green manure with medium fertility was also included as an additional treatment. Average dry matter and grain yields of rice and common bean were significantly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing fertilization. Across the three years, rice yield was 4327 kg ha−1 at low fertility, 5523 kg ha−1 at medium fertility, 5465 kg ha−1 at high fertility, and 6332 kg ha−1 at medium fertility with green manure treatment. Similarly, average common bean yield was 294 kg ha−1 at low soil fertility, 663 kg ha−1 at medium soil fertility, 851 kg ha−1 at high fertility, and 823 kg ha−1 at medium fertility with green manure treatment. Significant differences in nutrient uptake in bean were observed for fertility, year, and their interactions; however, these factors were invariably nonsignificant in rice.