Combined Effect of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Hybrid Rice (Palethwe-1)

Abstract

We investigated the effect of combining organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) in the dry and wet seasons of 2015. Four quantities of inorganic fertilizer were used in the main plot [0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] based on the recommended amounts of 150 kg N ha −1 , 70 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 , and 120 kg K 2 O ha −1 , while different organic manures were applied to subplots [no organic manure (O 0), cow manure (O c), poultry manure (O p), and vermicompost (O v); all at 5 t·ha −1 ] as part of a split-plot experimental design with three replicates. In both seasons, significant differences in growth parameters including num-ber of tillers hill −1 , soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values, total dry matter, yield, and yield components were observed in plants supplied with different inorganic fertilizers. The 100% NPK (I 100) fertilizer produced the maximum yield but similar yields were achieved in plots supplied with 50% NPK (I 50) and 75% NPK (I 75). Significant differences in growth and yield pa-rameters were also found in crops supplied with organic manures. Although identical quantities were supplied, O p produced the best growth parameters in both seasons including total dry matter, yield, and yield components. O c also performed well. Combining inorganic and organic fertilizers demonstrated that I 50 together with O p (5 t·ha −1) provided similar growth, total dry matter, and yield parameters to I 100 in both seasons. O c (5 t·ha −1) plus I 75 also achieved similar yields to I 100 . This study demonstrates that the combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures has the potential to reduce chemical fertilizer usage without decreasing the yield of hybrid rice, and can enhance the growth, yield, and yield components of Palethwe-1.