Evaluation of complementary use organic and inorganic fertilizer s on the performance of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi upland rice field to evaluate the complementary use of organic ( poultry dropping and cow dung) and inorganic fertilizers( urea) on the performance of rice cultivars. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design(RCBD) with four replicates. The treatment consisted of three types of fertilizers (urea, cow dung, and poultry dropping) which were used as sole and combined at different rates. Application of 2kg of cow dung plus 260g N and 2kg of poultry dropping plus 260g N resulted in the highest number of rice plant vigour while the rest applications did not show any significant difference. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in rice plant height at 30 DAS in almost all the plots except plot treated with 4kg of poultry dropping plus 173g N which recorded highest rice plant height. The application of 80kg N/ha resulted in highest plant height at 60DAS and 90DAS respectively. However, all fertilizer types and rates increased rice plant height significantly. The highest number of tillers was observed at 30 DAS when 6kg of poultry dropping plus 86g N was applied while other applications did not show any significant (p>0.05) difference. The lowest number of tillers was recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, and 90 DAS in plot where 2kg of cow dung plus 6 kg of poultry dropping was applied. The control recorded a appreciable number of tillers. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in panicle length, the application of 2kg poultry dropping plus 260g N recorded highest panicle length while the lowest panicle was observed in control. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in panicle number. However, significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in grain yield. The application of 2kg poultry dropping plus 260g N recorded highest grain yield while lowest observed in control. Therefore, the application of 2kg poultry dropping plus 260g N to upland rice could be recommended could be recommended for optimal yield.