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Questions and Answers
What was the primary benefit of using controlled release fertilizers (CRF) over conventional urea?
What was the primary benefit of using controlled release fertilizers (CRF) over conventional urea?
What factor contributed to the increased nitrogen efficiency in rice crops with CRF application?
What factor contributed to the increased nitrogen efficiency in rice crops with CRF application?
What was a potential reason for the lower yields observed in treatments T2H and T3H despite utilizing CRF?
What was a potential reason for the lower yields observed in treatments T2H and T3H despite utilizing CRF?
What percentage of nitrogen was released in the soil before rice cultivation according to the study?
What percentage of nitrogen was released in the soil before rice cultivation according to the study?
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Which of the following statements is true about CRF's performance in soil?
Which of the following statements is true about CRF's performance in soil?
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What was the nitrogen utilization correlation mentioned in relation to rice crops?
What was the nitrogen utilization correlation mentioned in relation to rice crops?
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Which statement best describes the impact of CRF on grain yield?
Which statement best describes the impact of CRF on grain yield?
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During which phase of rice cultivation did the nitrogen release rate increase to 87%?
During which phase of rice cultivation did the nitrogen release rate increase to 87%?
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What was the optimum nitrogen rate applied that resulted in maximum grain yield for upland rice?
What was the optimum nitrogen rate applied that resulted in maximum grain yield for upland rice?
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Which of the following best describes the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) observed in T4H CRF?
Which of the following best describes the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) observed in T4H CRF?
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How did the application of CRF with 75% of the recommended N (T4H) compare to conventional methods?
How did the application of CRF with 75% of the recommended N (T4H) compare to conventional methods?
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What was the highest observed harvest index (HI) for T4H CRF?
What was the highest observed harvest index (HI) for T4H CRF?
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What was associated with the higher grain yield observed in T4H CRF?
What was associated with the higher grain yield observed in T4H CRF?
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Which nitrogen rate was not among the treatments tested in the study?
Which nitrogen rate was not among the treatments tested in the study?
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What effect did the urea-loaded cellulose hydrogel have on N agronomic efficiency (NAE) in T4H CRF?
What effect did the urea-loaded cellulose hydrogel have on N agronomic efficiency (NAE) in T4H CRF?
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What is a key benefit of using controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) in the study?
What is a key benefit of using controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) in the study?
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What is the main advantage of using CRF hydrogels in rice cultivation?
What is the main advantage of using CRF hydrogels in rice cultivation?
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Which nitrogen application method resulted in higher rice yields and N efficiencies?
Which nitrogen application method resulted in higher rice yields and N efficiencies?
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What was the percentage increase in rice yield when using CRF hydrogels compared to the control?
What was the percentage increase in rice yield when using CRF hydrogels compared to the control?
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What does NUE stand for in the context of nitrogen usage in rice production?
What does NUE stand for in the context of nitrogen usage in rice production?
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How did CRF hydrogels affect N uptake in rice cultivation?
How did CRF hydrogels affect N uptake in rice cultivation?
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What was observed regarding CRF weight loss during the study?
What was observed regarding CRF weight loss during the study?
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Which of the following was not a reported benefit of using CRF in rice cultivation?
Which of the following was not a reported benefit of using CRF in rice cultivation?
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What is the NAE measure referred to in the study of CRF performance?
What is the NAE measure referred to in the study of CRF performance?
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Study Notes
Eco-Friendly Cellulose Hydrogels as Controlled Release Fertilizer for Upland Rice
- Cellulose hydrogels, a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), were used to enhance upland rice growth and yield.
- Nitrogen (N) treatments (30, 60, 90, 120 kg N ha⁻¹) were applied as CRF treatments, alongside a recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and a control group (0 N).
- Applying CRF at the optimal N rate (T4H—90 kg N ha⁻¹) resulted in a 71% increase in grain yield.
- This optimal N rate also increased panicle number, grains per panicle, and N uptake (0.25 g kg⁻¹).
- The highest harvest index (HI) and N harvest index (NHI) were observed with T4H CRF at 45.5% and 67.9%, respectively.
- Application of T4H CRF (75% N) gave higher yields than 100% N and 100% RDF treatments.
- CRF application as a basal dose positively impacted growth and yield compared to split applications of conventional urea-based fertilizers.
Rice as a Staple Food
- Rice is a staple food for over 3 billion people globally, providing 60-70% of energy needs in Asia.
- Malaysia's rice self-sufficiency was around 70% from 2008-17, producing approximately 2.57 million tons in 2017.
- Production decreased to 2.34 million tons in 2020.
- Sarawak had a lower self-sufficiency level (38%) in 2017, importing from other countries. The Sarawak government targets raising rice self-sufficiency to 60% by 2030.
- Efficient and proper fertilizer use contribute to increased production.
- Current fertilizer practices show less than 50% plant uptake efficiency.
Experimental Details and Methods
- The research used a pot experiment in a mini-greenhouse over a year (June-December 2022) in a rainforest climate in Sarawak, Malaysia.
- The experiment used the Maswangi (MRQ74) rice variety, provided by Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
- Six fertilizer treatments (T1-T6U) were applied in a completely randomized block design with 5 replications:
- T1: 0 N (control)
- T2H: 25% RDF
- T3H: 50% RDF
- T4H: 75% RDF
- T5H: 100% RDF
- T6U: 100% RDF in split applications.
- Soil pH and total N were measured.
- Rice was sown in pots, and urea was the source of nitrogen.
- Irrigation and manual weeding were conducted.
- Measurements included plant height, number of tillers, chlorophyll content (SPAD readings), yield components (grains, harvest index, 1000-grain weight), and nitrogen uptake.
Plant Growth and Yield Parameters
- Plant height, number of tillers, and chlorophyll content increased steadily over time until maturity (130 days after sowing).
- T4H (75% N) consistently outperformed other treatments in most growth parameters.
Nitrogen Uptake and Efficiency
- T4H showed the highest nitrogen uptake, leading to better nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and agronomic efficiency (NAE) compared to other treatments.
- Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong link between grain yield, the number of grains per panicle, and the number of panicles.
- Increased nitrogen uptake contributed to higher grain yield.
Conclusion
- Moderate N application (T4H) in the form of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) resulted in significant yield increases and improvements in various growth parameters and efficiency metrics compared to conventional urea application. Increased panicle numbers, grains per panicle, and grain yield supports this finding.
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