Effect of combined use of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Performance of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L) Cultivars

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the at the research field of the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria (Lat. 9o 45’ N, Long.06o 07’ E) to evaluate the effects of combined use of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and grain yield of upland rice The experiments were designed as 5 x 4 factorial in Randomized Complete Block and laid out in split plot arrangement, replicated three times. The main plots consisted of five rice varieties (NERICA 1, FARO 48, FARO 49, FARO 55 and SOR- 2). The sub-plots were made up of four soil amendment combinations of organic manure (poultry manure (PM) and inorganic fertilizer (urea) (1.5 t/ha PM, 1t/ha PM + 20 kg N/ha urea, 0.5 t/ha PM + 40 kg N/ha urea and 0 kg N/ha (control). Data were collected on plant height and tiller counts, both at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing(DAS); length of central panicle and number of panicles at maximum booting, grain yield (kg/ha) 1000 grains weight. Data collected on various parameters were subjected to the statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS (2002). Means were separated using the Least Significant Difference at 5% probability levels (LSD0.05). Results showed that the application of different combinations of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer resulted in significantly better growth and grain yield (2.51 t/ha for 1 t/ha + 20 kg N/ha urea and 2.26 t/ha for 0.5 t/ha + 40 kg N/ha urea), compared to the none application of any form of soil amendment (control) (1.38 t/ha), with the parameters also varying significantly (p>0.05) among the soil amendments. The application of 1 t/ha PM + 20 kg N/ha urea resulted in the best growth and grain yield of rice (2.51 t/ha), even though the values were sometimes not significantly better than with the application of 0.5 t/ha PM + 40 kg N/ha urea (2.26 t/ha). Value of grain yield obtained with the application of the sole organic manure (1.5 t/ha PM) (1.63 t/ha) was higher than with the non-application of any form of soil amendment (1.38 t/ha), although the difference was not significant (P<0.05). Rice varieties varied significantly(p>0.05) in the measured parameters, with FARO 49 and FARO 55 showing the best growth parameters, while NERICA 1 was the best in grain yield (2.65 t/ha), possibly due to its large grain size as indicated by the larger 1000 grains weight (1.80 g). The results of the significant variety x soil amendment interactive effects revealed that the growth and grain yields of NERICA 1, FARO 48, FARO 49 and FARO 55 rice varieties were best with the application of 1 t/ha PM + 20 kg N/ha urea, while SOR-2 variety performed best with the application of 0.5 t/ha PM + 40 kg N/ha urea soil amendment. The use of combined organic manure and inorganic fertilizer (1 t/ha PM + 20 kg N/ha urea and 0.5 t/ha PM + 40 kg N/ha urea) produced significantly (p>0.05) better results than the use of the sole organic manure (1.5 t/ha PM). The use of combined organic manure and inorganic fertilizer, more importantly, 1 t/ha PM + 20 kg N/ha and the cultivation of the NERICA 1 rice variety, are hereby recommended for the farmers in Baddegi area of Nigeria.