Effectiveness of Bio-Phosphate Fertilizer on Growth Performance and Production of Irrigated Lowland Rice

Abstract

Intensive agricultural land with a limiting factor of acidity often has a great degree of phosphate elements but is not accessible to plants. The utilization of bio-phosphate fertilizer (Bio-P) is an effort to enhance the available P for plants to support sustainable agricultural development. This research evaluated the effectiveness of Bio-P on the growth performance and production of irrigated lowland rice. The research was accomplished in Gemolong District, Sragen Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, from May to October 2021. The research was set in a randomized block design corresponded of ten treatments and four replications. The treatment corresponded of fertilization according to the recommended dose, fertilization according to the recommended dose + Bio-P, existing farmers' fertilization + Bio-P, and without fertilization. The data observed included plant growth, yield components, production, and agronomic and economic feasibility assessments. The findings revealed that fertilization treatment according to the recommended dose + Bio-P and the existing farmers' fertilization + Bio-P did not significantly affect plant growth and yield. The extension of 10 kg ha-1 Bio-P with existing farmers' fertilization produced the highest effectiveness value of 3.56 with a profit of IDR 25,400,400 ha-1 and the highest RAE value of 110.25%.