Evaluation of the Effect of Different Nutritional Managements on Yield and Economic Benefit of Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L)

Nutrient management, as recommended by fertilizers, is essential for achieving an economically sustainable rice crop. Nutrient management programs for each farm condition should have the least adverse environmental effects while optimizing farmer's production and profits. This study was conducted to determine the most appropriate rice plant nutrition management in paddy fields in terms of yield and economic benefit from 1397 for two years. In this study, ten farms were selected in Kuchesfahan section, that were different in terms of soil characteristics and nutritional management. Then, in each field, six plots were prepared and fertilizer treatments including N0 (without nitrogen), P0 (without phosphorus), K0 (without potassium) and N1P1K1 (general fertilizer recommendation of Rice Research Institute), N2P2K2 (fertilizer recommendation of rice research institute based on soil testing) and N3P3K3 (fertilizer recommendation based on soil test plus full fertilizer and growth stimulant fertilizer) were applied in them and compared with the customary fertilizer management of the farmer. In this study, characteristics related to soil fertility and crop yield were measured and soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium supply were calculated. The results showed that indigenous supply of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil was low in the range of 20 to 37 and 3 to 9 kg.ha-1, respectively. Combined analysis of data variance showed that the effect of fertilizer treatments on paddy yield was significant at 5% probability level and the highest average yield related to N3P3K3 treatment was 3968 kg.ha-1. But this recommendation did not differ significantly from the treatment (N2P2K2) with an average yield of 3914 kg.ha-1. These two recommendations significantly increased the average rice yield by 259 and 313 kg ha-1, respectively, compared to the usual crop management yield. The economic benefits of N2P2K2 nutrition management practices were not significantly different from N3P3K3, however they were significantly different from the management of farmer custom. These findings showed that for economically sustainable production of rice, it is necessary to pay attention to the interest-cost balance along with the type, amount and time of fertilizer inputs.