Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen

In Northwestern Pakistan’s rice-based cropping systems, the prevalent reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (INF) has led to insufficient nitrogen (N) contributions from soil organic manures (OM). This study aims to evaluate the impact of organic sources (OS), including animal manures (AM) and...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Amanullah, Hidayat Ullah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Nitrogen
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/1/3
_version_ 1797239778852208640
author Amanullah
Hidayat Ullah
author_facet Amanullah
Hidayat Ullah
author_sort Amanullah
collection DOAJ
description In Northwestern Pakistan’s rice-based cropping systems, the prevalent reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (INF) has led to insufficient nitrogen (N) contributions from soil organic manures (OM). This study aims to evaluate the impact of organic sources (OS), including animal manures (AM) and crop residues (CR), on crop growth rates (CGR) in a rice-wheat rotation. A two-year field experiment involving hybrid rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L., Pukhraj) was conducted in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Various OS and inorganic-N (urea) combinations were applied, emphasizing their influence on CGR. The findings highlight poultry manure (PM) application as the most impactful on CGR, while wheat straw (WS) application resulted in the lowest CGR among the six OS investigated. Additionally, the use of AM showcased superior CGR compared to CR. In the initial year, the highest CGR occurred, with 75% of N sourced from urea and 25% from OS. In the second year, a balanced 50% N application from each source yielded the highest CGR. Urea and PM demonstrated the most robust CGR among OS combinations, while urea and WS yielded the lowest. Notably, onion leaves, a cost-effective option, delivered promising results comparable to berseem residues, indicating their potential as organic manure, especially in sulfur-deficient soils. These findings underscore the viability of onion residue management as a cost-effective alternative to ammonium sulfate fertilizers with global applicability. The abstract recommends promoting organic sources, particularly poultry manure and onion leaves, alongside inorganic-N fertilizers to enhance CGR and reduce dependence on costly alternatives. However, further research and field trials are necessary to explore the long-term impacts of these organic sources on soil health, nutrient cycling, and the sustainability of rice-based cropping systems in Northwestern Pakistan and beyond. In conclusion, this study investigates the influence of organic sources on CGR in rice-wheat rotations, emphasizing the superiority of poultry manure and onion leaves. The findings highlight cost-effective alternatives to conventional fertilizers, emphasizing the need for further research to validate long-term sustainability and applicability beyond the study area.
first_indexed 2024-04-24T17:56:57Z
format Article
id doaj.art-2702b347381d4318a6ea298e5dc4ba14
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2504-3129
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-24T17:56:57Z
publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Nitrogen
spelling doaj.art-2702b347381d4318a6ea298e5dc4ba142024-03-27T13:57:46ZengMDPI AGNitrogen2504-31292024-01-0151284610.3390/nitrogen5010003Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea NitrogenAmanullah0Hidayat Ullah1Department of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanDepartment of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanIn Northwestern Pakistan’s rice-based cropping systems, the prevalent reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (INF) has led to insufficient nitrogen (N) contributions from soil organic manures (OM). This study aims to evaluate the impact of organic sources (OS), including animal manures (AM) and crop residues (CR), on crop growth rates (CGR) in a rice-wheat rotation. A two-year field experiment involving hybrid rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L., Pukhraj) was conducted in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Various OS and inorganic-N (urea) combinations were applied, emphasizing their influence on CGR. The findings highlight poultry manure (PM) application as the most impactful on CGR, while wheat straw (WS) application resulted in the lowest CGR among the six OS investigated. Additionally, the use of AM showcased superior CGR compared to CR. In the initial year, the highest CGR occurred, with 75% of N sourced from urea and 25% from OS. In the second year, a balanced 50% N application from each source yielded the highest CGR. Urea and PM demonstrated the most robust CGR among OS combinations, while urea and WS yielded the lowest. Notably, onion leaves, a cost-effective option, delivered promising results comparable to berseem residues, indicating their potential as organic manure, especially in sulfur-deficient soils. These findings underscore the viability of onion residue management as a cost-effective alternative to ammonium sulfate fertilizers with global applicability. The abstract recommends promoting organic sources, particularly poultry manure and onion leaves, alongside inorganic-N fertilizers to enhance CGR and reduce dependence on costly alternatives. However, further research and field trials are necessary to explore the long-term impacts of these organic sources on soil health, nutrient cycling, and the sustainability of rice-based cropping systems in Northwestern Pakistan and beyond. In conclusion, this study investigates the influence of organic sources on CGR in rice-wheat rotations, emphasizing the superiority of poultry manure and onion leaves. The findings highlight cost-effective alternatives to conventional fertilizers, emphasizing the need for further research to validate long-term sustainability and applicability beyond the study area.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/1/3riceorganic wastesureanitrogensourcesratios
spellingShingle Amanullah
Hidayat Ullah
Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
Nitrogen
rice
organic wastes
urea
nitrogen
sources
ratios
title Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
title_full Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
title_fullStr Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
title_full_unstemmed Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
title_short Boosting Crop Growth Rates of Hybrid Rice (Pukhraj) through Synergistic Use of Organic Nitrogen Sources in Conjunction with Urea Nitrogen
title_sort boosting crop growth rates of hybrid rice pukhraj through synergistic use of organic nitrogen sources in conjunction with urea nitrogen
topic rice
organic wastes
urea
nitrogen
sources
ratios
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/1/3
work_keys_str_mv AT amanullah boostingcropgrowthratesofhybridricepukhrajthroughsynergisticuseoforganicnitrogensourcesinconjunctionwithureanitrogen
AT hidayatullah boostingcropgrowthratesofhybridricepukhrajthroughsynergisticuseoforganicnitrogensourcesinconjunctionwithureanitrogen