Roles of Micronutrients in Organic Rice Production

Abstract

The role of micronutrient in organic Rice production was investigated in Ihitte Uboma LGA using Lowa and Ikperejere Rice producing plots. Organic Rice producing paddies and non-organic Rice producing paddies in Lowa and ikperejere were sampled during and after rice harvest. The sources of organic enhancement used by the farmers were poultry droppings, cow dung and pig waste which were occasionally mixed with wood shavings. And these are sources of nutrients as well as organic matter. Two (2) rice paddies in Lowa and Ikperejere area in Ihitte Uboma L.G.A in Imo state were used. Fallow (control) soil were sampled also for comparism. Samples were randomly collected from depth of 0-30cm using spade. The micronutrient investigated were Zinc, Copper, Iron and Molybdenum. AAS was used to analyze Micronutrients and physicochemical was done routinely. Rice were harvested at maturity. The findings indicated that organic rice cultivation significantly increased the concentrations of the micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum and Iron(40 Zn, 36 Cu, 10 Mo and 23 Fe mgkg1) elements investigated compared with the control Zn 15, Cu 12, Mo 8 and Fe 10 Mgkg1 and non-organic paddy (13 Zn, 8 Cu, 5 Mo and 8 Fe mgkg1 respectively. In all case, the nutrient levels are not below critical micro nutrient levels at which deficiency may occur. Further findings on yield indicated that organic plots performed better with mean yield value of 740 kg per hectare compared with 639 kg yield per hectare from non-organic plot. The yield advantage could be attributed to addiction of organic matter which not only supplies nutrients in forms needed by plants but also helps in water and nutrient holding and release, create site for soil biota activities and formation of chelates for micronutrients availability to plants. The soil is of moderate fertility.