Comparative effects of urea, NPK and organomineral fertilizer on the growth and yield of rice in Ekpoma, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil nutrients deficiencies result in poor growth and yield of crops. The application fertilizer was necessary to improve its nutrient contents. Two seasons experiment was conducted at two locations of the Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma, Nigeria. It was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments replicated thrice; treatments were: control, granular urea (GU), prilled urea (PU), full dose of PK+75 N through granular urea (GUPK), full dose of P&K+75% N prilled urea (PUPK), full dose of P&K+75% N through granular urea+25% N through Farmyard manure (FYM) (GUPK+FYM), and full dose of P&K+75% N through prilled urea+25% N through FYM (PUPK+FYM). FARO 59 variety of rice was planted, and data collected were statistically analyzed. The soil nutrients status were below a critical level and fertilizer application improves its fertility for increasing yield. The grain yield of rice obtained from GU application was higher than that of PU, but both were significantly higher than the control. GUPK and PUPK application significantly increased rice grain yield compared to GU and PU. Also, GUPK+FYM and PUPK+FYM application significantly increased the growth and grain yield of rice compared to other treatments, the grain yield obtained were 8.90 and 8.54 t ha^-1, respectively. The nutrient uptake was increased significantly with the application of GUPK+FYM and PUPK+FYM compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the application of GUPK+FYM and PUPK+FYM significantly increased the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of rice.