Crop management

Water managementSoil and NutrientsPests and diseases

The essential elements for rice

There are 16 elements that are essential for a rice plant to grow and develop properly. Can be grouped into macro-elements (needed in bigger quantity) and micro-elements ( in trace or small quantity).

The essential elements for rice

Macro-elements Needed by plants in large amounts, often more than 0.1% of plant’s dry weight.

carbonhydrogenoxygen

nitrogenphosphoruspotassiumcalcium

magnesiumsulfur

The essential elements for rice

Micro-elements Needed by plants in trace amounts.

ironmanganese

copperzinc

molybdenumboron

chlorine

The general nutrients management for rice

Nitrogen (N)

Promotes rapid plant growth and improves grain yield and grain quality.

N is generally the most limiting nutrient as it is needed in large amounts and is readily lost as a gas (volatilized) and by leaching (washing out of the root zone).

How much N needed

Rule of thumb: Apply 40–60 kg fertilizer N per ha.

The fixed time approachThe fixed-time approach provides a recommendation for the total fertilizer N requirement (kg/ha) and a plan for the splitting and timing of applications in accordance with crop growth stage, cropping season, variety used, and crop establishment method.

Divide total fertilizer N recommendations into 2–4 split applications.

The fixed time approach

Divide total fertilizer N recommendations into 2–4 split applications.

Leaf Color Chart

Apply fertilizer N after 14 DAT or 21 DAS based on the crop’s need for supplemental N, as determined by the leaf N status.

The general nutrients management for rice

Phosphorus (P)

Is essential for root development, tillering,early flowering, and ripening.

It is especially deficient in sandy soils with low organic matter contents, in very acid soils and in alkaline soils..

The general nutrients management for rice

Potassium (K) Essential for root growth and plant vigor.

It also helps against lodging and improves the crop resistance to diseases.

Become yield limiting in high yielding rice systems where most of the straw is removed because rice straw is rich in K

.

When to apply P and K

Apply all fertilizer P (20-40 kg P2O5 per ha) near transplanting or sowing.

Apply fertilizer K twice — 50% near transplanting or sowing and 50% at early panicle initiation.

When fertilizer K rates are relatively low (for example, 30 kg K2O per ha), all fertilizer K can be applied near transplanting or sowing.

MARDI Fertilizer recommendations for riceTotal amount per hectare:

N - 120 kg (add 15% for main season crop)P2O5 - 70 kgK2O – 80 kg

Nitrogen – 4 splits:3 leaf –(15 DAP) – 20%Active vegetative growth – (30-35 DAP) – 31%Panicle initiation - (50-55 DAP) – 35%Panicle emergence – (70-75 DAP) – 14%