You might be looking for techniques to manage nutrients in rice paddies. Fertilization and nutrient management are fundamental needs in the world of cultivation. Rice plants are no exception. The dosage of fertilizer and the way fertilization is conducted greatly affect soil fertility and crop yields.
If nutrient requirements are not met, rice plants will deplete nutrients from the soil. If the soil is fertile, the impact may not be immediately visible. However, in the long run, this greatly affects crop production.
Techniques for Managing Nutrients in Rice Paddies
In order to be used effectively and to keep the soil always fertile, nutrient management efforts become crucial. Here are techniques for managing nutrients in rice paddies that you can practice.
Soil Testing
Before fertilizing, soil testing is necessary. This aims to allow farmers to analyze and provide balanced fertilization. You can use the PuTS tool to analyze and get recommendations on the use of N, P, and K for rice in paddies.
Balanced fertilization aims for balanced essential nutrients according to needs. Balanced fertilization can use compound fertilizers, single fertilizers, or a combination of both.
Single fertilizers are fertilizers that use only one essential element. For example, urea contains N. Meanwhile, compound fertilizers are fertilizers that contain several nutrients. For example, NPK.
Increasing Fertilizer Use Efficiency
Fertilizer use efficiency can be achieved in several ways, including: modifying fertilizer application, timing of fertilization, fertilizer application techniques, or using organic and biological fertilizers. Fertilization with N or Urea has a lower efficiency of around 20-30% compared to fertilizer being incorporated into the soil.
Moreover, fertilizer modification is also necessary. For example, making urea tablets or briquettes. The use of urea briquettes has been proven to be more economical and can increase yields by 0.5 tons per hectare. However, the downside of implementing this method is the need for more labor.
Based on research, the technique of fertilizing P in paddy fields with high P levels requires only 50 kg of TSP or SP-36. Fields with moderate P levels should be given 75 kg of TSP or SP-36. Fields with low P levels require 100 kg of TSP or SP-36.
Meanwhile, K fertilization is only recommended in paddy fields with low K levels and poor water drainage. The recommended dosage is 50 kg KCl per hectare.
Improving Soil Fertility
To improve soil fertility, several efforts can be made. Among them are: first, amelioration. You can do this by increasing organic C material in the soil. Improving soil pH, and enhancing the physical, chemical, and biological properties, in general.
Second, specific fertilization according to soil test results and recommended dosages. Third, selecting quality seedlings, soil management, balanced fertilization, irrigation according to needs, and controlling pests or diseases.
These three techniques for managing nutrients in rice paddies can be applied or practiced directly, to ensure soil fertility is maintained and crop yields increase.
Balanced Fertilization
Macro and micronutrients as techniques for managing nutrients in rice paddies must be carefully considered. Three essential nutrients in nutrient management are: Acting as plant metabolic, Avoiding crop failures, and protecting plants from diseases.
Based on calculations, rice plants require 165 kilograms of N, 19 kilograms of P, and 112 kilograms of K per hectare. Or equivalent to 350 kilograms of Urea, 120 kilograms of SP36, and 225 kilograms of KCL per hectare.
These four techniques for managing nutrients in rice paddies can be applied or practiced directly, to ensure soil fertility is maintained and crop yields increase.