Nutrient Uptake of Aerobic Rice Genotypes as Influenced by Biofertilizer

Abstract

Biofertilizer, which is prepared with beneficial environment-friendly bacteria and residue of plant material, can be a complement to chemical fertilizer and eventually improve soil productiveness aids in tackling the opposing ecological penalties, energy depletion and imminent dares of food production. Two field experiments were carried out during off and main season at Universiti Putra Malaysia to determine the influence of biofertilizer on nutrient uptake and yield of different aerobic rice genotypes. The experiment consisted of five biofertilizer treatments (chemical fertilizer recommended rate (CFRR) 100% as control, biofertilizer 1 t ha^-1 + 75% CFRR, biofertilizer 2 t ha^-1 + 50% CFRR,  biofertilizer 3 t ha^-1 + 25% CFRR and biofertilizer 4 t ha^-1) and three aerobic rice genotypes (MRIA1, MR219-4 and MR219-9). Results showed that application of biofertilizer positively affected nutrient uptake and grain yield of aerobic rice.  Biofertilizer 1 t ha^-1 + 75% CFRR application recorded the highest grain yield (4296.70 kg ha^-1) while biofertilizer 4 t ha^-1 recorded the highest N and P uptake (37.88 and 9.59 kg ha^-1), respectively in grains in the main season. MR219-4 and MR219-9 recorded the highest and comparable grain yield and nutrient uptake. The study showed that application of biofertilizer 1 t ha^-1 + 75% CFRR increases grain yield and biofertilizer 4 tons increase nutrient uptake of MR219-4 and MR219-9.