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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 2
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.112.12629.
Iqbal, M., Jahan, A., Islam, A. B. M. J., Islam, T., & Islam, A. (2023). Assessment of Yield Limiting Nutrients through Response of
Rice to Nutrient Omission Technique of Shallow Brown Terrace under Madhupur Tract. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol
- 11(2). 611-618.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Assessment of Yield Limiting Nutrients through Response of Rice
to Nutrient Omission Technique of Shallow Brown Terrace under
Madhupur Tract
Mosud Iqbal
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
Afsana Jahan
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
A B M Jamiul Islam
Rice Farming System Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
Tanjina Islam
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
Aminul Islam
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted during Boro 2018-2019 and T.Aman 2019 season
at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur to assess the yield limiting nutrients
and response of rice to nutrient omission technique for the Boro-Fallow-T. Aman
rice cropping pattern. The experiment was set up in a split plot design (RCBD) with
three replications. Four fertilizer treatments viz T1=NPK (AEZ basis), T2=N omission
(-N), T3=P omission (-P) and T4=K omission (-K) were imposed in the main plots.
The rice genotypes viz Nerica Mutant, BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan45 in Boro
season and in T.Aman BRC245-4-19-2-1, BR11 and BRRI dhan31 was laid in the
subplots. Interaction of nutrient omission and rice genotypes showed significant
effect on all the tested growth attributes in Boro 2018-19 season. Treatments with
ample dose (NPK) show significantly outperformed than N and P omission in
respect of the plant height, tiller and panicle number per square meter but no
significance differences of growth attributes were observed in case of K omission in
Boro season. Varietal influence of different rice genotypes due to ample dose of NPK
and their omissions were insignificant but significance influence of grain yield due
to nutrient omission was found. Due to P omission, highest yield reduction (80%,
BRRI dhan45) was recorded in Boro season. In T.Aman Season, Only N omission
significantly produced lowest tiller and panicle number per meter square. Less than
25% of yield reductions due to nutrient omission were recorded in T.Aman season.
The overall findings of the study point out that the yield limiting nutrients in Boro
season were identified as N and P. However, N and K was found yield limiting
nutrient factor in T.Aman season.
Keywords: Omission technique, yield limiting nutrient.
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 2, April-2023
INTRODUCTION
Rice is one of the most important cereal crops which feed half of the world’s population
providing 35-60% of the total calorie (Tayefe et al., 2014). In Bangladesh rice is the major food
of about 17 million people which covers about 75% of the total-cropped area (Nasim et al.,
2017). Aus, Aman, and Boro are the three rice-growing seasons in Bangladesh of which the
transplanted Aman (T. Aman) and Boro in combined take up more than 80% of the total rice- cultivated land. Now a days, farmers are extensively cultivating modern high yielding rice
varieties. Therefore, nutrient management of the high yielding rice varieties is essential to
obtain the desired yield.
Soil fertility evaluation is the key factor for adequate and balanced fertilization of crops in high
crop production systems. Soil and plant analyses are commonly performed to assess the
fertility status of a soil. More over identification of deficiency symptoms and biological tests
which are helpful in determining specific nutrient stresses and quantity of nutrients needed to
optimize the yield (Havlin et al., 2007). The analytical results do not indicate the most limiting
nutrient according to Liebig's law of the minimum “the minimum nutrient is the factor that
governs and controls growth and potential yield of crop”. The nutrient omission plot techniques
provide a visible order of crop response to nutrient application. It intends to find out the most
limiting nutrients to the growth of a crop plant. If any element is not applied while other
elements are applied at recommended rates and plants grow weakly, then the tested element
is a limiting factor for crop growth. On the other hand, if any element is omitted but plants are
healthy, then that element is not a limiting factor for crop production. The present investigation
was carried out with the objective to assess the yield limiting nutrients and response of rice to
nutrient omission technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Location and Soil
The present study was conducted at the experimental field of Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute (BRRI), Gazipur situated at 23059 ́33 ́ ́ N and 90024 ́19 ́ ́ E at an elevation of 30 m from
the mean sea level, and is characterized by sub-tropical climate. The soil of the experimental
plot was clay loam (20.0% sand, 38.0% silt and 42% clay) of shallow brown terrace under
Madhupur tract (AEZ 28), the experimental field classified as a Chhiata clay loam, hyperthermic
Vertic Endoaquept (Saleque et al, 2004), neutral in reaction (pH 6.97±0.14). The Physio- chemical properties of experimental soil are presented in table 1. Phosphorus status of initial
soil was below the critical limit but C, N, K and S status are adequate than the critical limit
(BARC, 2012).
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Iqbal, M., Jahan, A., Islam, A. B. M. J., Islam, T., & Islam, A. (2023). Assessment of Yield Limiting Nutrients through Response of Rice to Nutrient
Omission Technique of Shallow Brown Terrace under Madhupur Tract. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 611-618.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.12629.
Table 1. physio-chemical properties of soil of the experimental field
Parameters Value Critical limit
(BARC, 2012) References
Bulk density (g/cc) 1.35 Core method
Particle density (g/cc) 2.65 Picnometer method
Porosity (%) 49
Soil texture Clay loam Hydrometer method (page et al.,
1989)
Soil pH 6.97±0.14 Glass Electrode pH meter method
with soil water ratio 1: 2.5 (McLean,
1982)
Organic Carbon (%) 1.05±0.05 C: N=10:1 Walkley and Black’s wet oxidation
method (Jackson,1973)
Available nitrogen (%) 0.12±0.01 0.10 Kjeldhal systems (Bremner and
Mulvancy, 1982)
Available phosphorus (ppm) 5.4±0.5 8.0 Olsen Method (Olsen et al., 1954)
Exchangeable K meq/100g
soil
0.17±0.04 0.08 Ammonium acetate extraction
method (Barker and Surh, 1982)
Available S in ppm 27±5 8.0 Turbidimetric method (Page et al.,
1989)
Crop, Experimental Design and Treatments
The experiment was conducted at BRRI farm, Gazipur during Boro 2018-19 and T.Aman 2019.
In Boro short duration rice varieties viz Nerica Mutant, BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan45; In
T.Aman BRC245-4-19-2-1, BR11 and BRRI dhan31 were evaluated to find out yield limiting
nutrients and response of rice varieties to nutrient omission techniques. The experiment was
conducted in split plot design. Four fertilizer treatments viz T1=NPK (AEZ basis), T2=N omission
(-N), T3=P omission (-P) and T4=K omission (-K) were imposed in the main plots and rice
genotypes in the subplots with three replications. Sulpher was applied as blanket dose. NPKS
@ 160-25-65-10 kg ha-1 in Boro and 120-15-60-8 kg ha-1 in T.Aman were used. Unit plot size
was 6m x 4m transplanted with 20cm x 20cm spacing. All plots were surrounded by 30 cm high
soil levees to avoid contamination between plots. All fertilizers except urea were applied at final
land preparation. Urea was applied at basal, active tillering stage and 7 days before panicle
initiation stage in equal splits. Irrigation, weeding and other management practices were done
equally at per requirement. At maturity, the crop was harvested manually from an area of 5 m2
at 15 cm above ground level from each plot for grain yield and 16 hills from each plot at ground
level for straw yield data. Grain yield was recorded at 14% moisture content and straw yield as
oven dry basis (720C, 72 hours). Plant height, tiller and panicle numbers per square meter were
also recorded.
Statistical Analysis
All data were analyzed statistically with software statistix 10. Statistical significance of
differences between mean values was determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Least
significant difference (LSD) at the 0.05 level of probability was used to compare means.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Growth Attributes, Grain and Straw Yield
Boro 2018-19:
The observations on growth attributes of different short duration rice genotypes were analyzed
statistically and presented in the table 2. The results showed that nutrient omission techniques
showed significant effect on all the tested growth attributes of rice genotypes recorded under
the study. Treatments with ample dose (NPK) show significantly outperformed than N and P
omission in respect of the plant height, tiller and panicle number per square meter of all tested
rice genotypes. No significance differences of growth attributes were observed in case of K
omission. Plant height, Tiller and panicle production in unit area was the lowest in P omission
plot considering all tested rice genotypes. Similar results were also reported by several workers
Yadav et al. (2007), Kamrunnahar et al (2017) and Ge Li el.al. (2013). No significance varietal
influence of tiller and panicle number were observed in NPK, N and P omission plots except K
omission. In K omission plot BRRI dhan28 produced significant highest tiller among the tested
genotypes. Nerica mutant produced significantly highest panicle among the genotypes. In case
of plant height, all tested genotypes performed statistically similar in NPK, N and K omission
plots. The plant height of BRRI dhan45 was statistically lowest compared to other two
genotypes when P was missing.
Table 2. Growth attributes of different short duration rice genotypes influenced by N, P
and K and their omission, Boro 2018-19, BRRI-Gazipur.
Treat Growth attributes
Plant height (cm) Tiller numbers m-2 Panicle numbers m-2
Nerica
Mutant
BRRI
dhan28
BRRI
dhan45
Nerica
Mutant
BRRI
dhan28
BRRI
dhan45
Nerica
Mutant
BRRI
dhan28
BRRI
dhan45
NPK 94aA 96aA 92aA 247aA 250aA 278aA 224aA 218aA 247aA
PK (-N) 81bA 77bA 77bA 144bA 160bA 142bA 116bA 129bA 115bA
NK (-P) 70cA 73bA 66cB 130bA 137bA 114bA 118bA 118bA 97bA
NP (-K) 87abA 89aA 85aA 224aB 289aA 241aB 267aA 218aB 209aB
CV (%) 3 10 12
The effect of nutrient omission technique on grain and straw yield of different short duration
rice genotypes is given in table 3. Varietal influence of different rice genotypes due to ample
dose of NPK and their omissions were insignificant. We found significance influence of grain
yield due to nutrient omission. With regard to the nutrient omission, application of
recommended dose NPK (160:25:65 kg ha-1) recorded rice grain yield of 4.42 Mg ha-1, which
was significantly higher than the other nutrient omission treatment except NP applied plot (-
K). Similar finding was also reported by Singh et al. (2008), Khurana et al. (2008), Singh &
Bansal (2010) and Kamrunnahar et al (2017). Lowest grain yield (1.19 Mg ha-1) was observed
in P omission plot which was statistically similar with N omission. Significant influence of
nutrient omission and genotypes were observed in case of straw yield. The straw yield of Nerica
mutant and BRRI dhan28 was statistically similar in full dose of NPK and K omission plots. The
straw yield of BRRI dhan45 (3.53 Mg ha-1) was highest with full dose of NPK. Previously
Kamrunnahar et al (2017) reported varietal influence of above ground biomass production
with nutrient omission technique. The performance of NPK full dose treatment was better over
omission plot practice for rice. Sufficient dose of nutrient probably exerted a positive effect on
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Iqbal, M., Jahan, A., Islam, A. B. M. J., Islam, T., & Islam, A. (2023). Assessment of Yield Limiting Nutrients through Response of Rice to Nutrient
Omission Technique of Shallow Brown Terrace under Madhupur Tract. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 611-618.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.12629.
the development of source and sink relationship of plant which is ultimately resulted in higher
yield.
The response of NPK omission on yield reduction in different rice genotypes of Boro season is
given in figure 1. Due to P omission, highest yield reduction was recorded in Boro season. Yield
of BRRI dhan45 was reduced almost 80% due to P omission.
Table 3. Grain and straw yield of different short duration rice genotypes influenced by
N, P and K and their omission, Boro 2018-19, BRRI-Gazipur.
Treatment Grain yield (Mg ha- 1
)
Straw yield (Mg ha-1
)
Nerica mutant BRRI dhan28 BRRI dhan45
NPK 4.42a 3.46aA 3.33aA 3.53aA
PK (-N) 1.93b 1.52bA 1.51bA 1.39cA
NK (-P) 1.19b 1.12bB 1.64bA 1.12cB
NP (-K) 3.66a 2.83aB 3.38aA 2.40bB
CV (%) 17.09 12.37
T. Aman 2019:
The data on tiller and panicle number per meter square of different rice genotypes were
analyzed statistically and presented in the table 4. No significance differences of tiller and
panicle number were observed in case of full NPK and P & K omission treatments. Only N
omission significantly produced lowest tiller and panicle number per meter square. Genotypic
influences were observed in tiller and panicle number. BRRI dhan31 performed best in case of
tiller and panicle production irrespective of nutrient omission.
Table 4. Nutrient omission and genotypic influence on tiller and panicle number per
meter square. T. Aman 2019, BRRI-Gazipur.
Treatment Growth attributes
Tiller m-2 Panicle m-2 Rice genotypes Tiller m-2 Panicle m-2
NPK 288a 269a
PK(-N) 218b 202b BRRI dhan31 297a 279a
NK(-P) 271a 255a BR11 265b 250b
NP(-K) 256a 250a BRC245-4-19-2-1 223c 207c
CV (%) 11.06 13.31 CV (%) 11.06 13.31
The individual effect of nutrient omission technique and genotypes on grain and straw yield
was given in table 5. The significant interaction effect of nutrient omission and different
genotypes was not found. The recommended fertilizer dose NPK (120:15:60 kg ha-1) produced
highest grain and straw yield which was significantly similar with P omission plot. The highest
grain yield was recorded in BRRI dhan31 which was significantly different from BR 11 and
BRC245-4-19-2-1. The straw yield of BR11 was high among all genotypes. The response of NPK
omission on yield reduction in different rice genotypes of T.Aman season is given in figure 1.
Less than 25% of yield reductions due to nutrient omission were recorded in T.Aman season.
Among the tested genotypes, highest yield reduction was found in BR 11 due to K omission. In
T. Aman season, the lower yield reduction of rice grain yield with applied nutrient omission
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was due to the availability of soil indigenous nutrients. In T. Aman season, due to high rainfall
and temperature compared to Boro season, the soil indigenous nutrients become more
available leading to low response to the applied nutrient (A. Jahan et al 2020).
Table 5. Nutrient omission and genotypic influence on grain and straw yield (Mg ha-1)
T. Aman 2019, BRRI-Gazipur.
Treatment Yield (Mg ha-1
)
Grain yield Straw yield Rice genotypes Grain yield Straw yield
NPK 5.52a 6.41a
PK(-N) 4.80b 4.82b BRRI dhan31 5.35a 5.06b
NK(-P) 5.08ab 6.31a BR11 4.82b 6.33a
NP(-K) 4.45b 5.22b BRC245-4-19-2-1 4.71b 5.68ab
CV (%) 8.32 18.55 CV (%) 8.32 18.55
Figure: 1. Yield decrease percentages due to nutrient omission (NPK) in different rice
genotypes in consecutive Boro and T. Aman growing season.
CONCLUSIONS
In this experiment, we concluded the omission of nutrients N and P significantly reduced the
plant height, tiller and panicle number, grain and straw yield of rice in Boro season. This season
highest grain yield 4.42 Mg ha-1 were recorded under the treatment receiving all the nutrients
and that of lowest grain yields 1.93 and 1.19 were recorded under omission of N and P
nutrients. Based on these results of Boro season, the limiting nutrients were identified as N and
P. Similarly in T.Aman season, due to N omission, tiller number, panicle number, grain yield and
straw yield significantly reduced. Highest grain yield 5.52 Mg ha-1 was recorded under full
nutrient applied plot which was similar with P and K omitted plots. So only N was the limiting
nutrient among the tested rice genotypes. Significant interaction effect of nutrient omission
and different genotypes was not found in T. Aman season.
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Iqbal, M., Jahan, A., Islam, A. B. M. J., Islam, T., & Islam, A. (2023). Assessment of Yield Limiting Nutrients through Response of Rice to Nutrient
Omission Technique of Shallow Brown Terrace under Madhupur Tract. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 611-618.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.112.12629.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute for
providing supports to conduct field experiments and laboratory facilities. This research did not
receive any specific funding.
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