Organic Amendments Boost Soil Fertility and Rice Productivity and Reduce Methane Emissions from Paddy Fields under Sub-Tropical Conditions

Abstract

Deteriorating soil fertility and gradually decreasing rice productivity along with higher greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields have emerged as serious threats to the sustainability of rice production and food security. Rice production in the subtropical environment in Bangladesh is mostly dependent on synthetic inorganic fertilizer to maintain productivity; however, the inorganic fertilizer has negative effects on global warming. Climate-smart and resilient agricultural production systems are major concerns nowadays to meet sustainable development goals. The study was conducted to evaluate the optimum rate and source of organic amendments on rice productivity and soil fertility along with CH4 emission. A total of nine nutrient combinations were used in the study. The CH4 emission, soil redox potential (Eh), soil pH, soil nitrogen and organic carbon, available phosphorus, rice grain and straw were greatly affected by the application of different rates and sources of the nutrient. However, the soil exchangeable K content, plant height, and harvest index were not affected. Among the treatments, the application of 75% recommended fertilizer (RF) + biosolid 2 t ha−1 (T3) was the most effective and showed the superior performance in terms of available P (12.90 ppm), the number of grains panicle−1 (121), and 1000-grain weight (24.6g), rice grain, and straw yield along with the moderate CH4 emission (18.25 mg m−2h−1). On the other hand, the lowest soil Eh (−158 mV) and soil pH (6.65) were measured from the treatment T3. The finding of this study revealed that the application of 75% of RF + biosolid 2 t ha−1 can be recommended as the preferable soil amendment for boosting rice yield, reduce CH4 emissions, and sustainably maintain soil fertility. Furthermore, this finding may help to introduce preferable soil amendment doses, which will contribute to boosting rice productivity and economic turnouts of the farmers.

Weed-Free Durations and Fertilization Regimes Boost Nutrient Uptake and Paddy Yield of Direct-Seeded Fine Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…It is being grown in all habitable continents of the world, owing to its wide adaptability to a wide range of pedo-climatic conditions [4,5]. In Asia, it is cultivated with irrigation systems, while in Pakistan, rice is ranked the third most prominent crop, covering 10% of the cultivated area and contributing 17% to the total cereal production [6][7][8]. However, rice cultivation through nursery transplanting in a puddled field is cumbersome, time-consuming and is a prodigal water use method [9].…”

“…The DSR offers several advantages, including faster plant growth, avoidance of transplanting shock, ease in cultivation, less labor and water requirements as well as early maturity [13][14][15][16][17]. Additionally, a significant reduction in methane emission was also accomplished with DSR [6]. However, weed infestation has remained the prime biological constraint limiting the productivity of DSR by up to 75-80% [14,18].…”

“…In addition, it inferred that mechanically deep-buried fertilization delayed rice leaf senescence by improving the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the malonic dialdehyde in DSR, which led to a higher paddy yield. Under the changing climate, the optimization of fertilization method has become even more important owing to its potential for 40% and 54% reduction in methane (CH4) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions, respectively [6]. Therefore, optimization of the fertilization method constitutes a potent strategy to mitigate environmental pollution which is contributed to by methane emissions from rice fields.…”

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield Components of Traditional and Improved Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes in Malaysia

“…Ye et al [47] suggested the use of organic manure and chemical fertilizers enhanced grain output considerably. Organic manure and chemical fertilizers boosted rice straw yields [48]. These assumptions are supported by [40,49].…”

Effects of Rate and Source Organo-Mineral Material on Forage Yield and Nutritive Value of Barley-Pea Mixed under Arid Conditions

“…In investigation of forage barley intercropping with legumes, Strydhorst et al [26] revealed that intercropping with legumes crops produced higher protein than barley monoculture. The previous literature recommended that with the increase in the nutritional components in soil, the nutrition of crops is also increased but up to a certain rate [27,28]. Wheat and beans intercropping showed the highest photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) efficiency over their monoculture [29].…”