No abstract

The study attempts to determine the reaction of ratoon lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to foliar application of plant extracts when exposed to high temperatures. To determine the best plant extracts that promote growth and produce higher grain yield to ratoon lowland rice, and evaluate the profitability of rice ratooning to foliar application of plant extracts when exposed to high temperatures. The experiment was conducted adopting a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the spraying of plant extracts as treatment. Results revealed that spraying of fermented Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud) + Musa sapientum bract extracts produced a higher grain yield than control plants, and also in those ratoon plants applied with super harvest commercial foliar fertilizer. Foliar application of pure Musa sapientum bract extracts is also a potential natural foliar fertilizer, achieving higher productivity. Based on profitability analysis, spraying of fermented Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud + Musa sapientum bract extracts achieved a higher gross margin (USD 511.40) followed by Musa sapientum bract extracts with a gross margin of USD 495.40. Spraying of plant extracts to lowland rice did not influence all growth parameters evaluated, maybe due to exposure of the plants under high temperatures coupled with unpredictable weather conditions. This study postulated that the option of using plant extracts is one of the most vital approaches to enhancing rice productivity in low-yielding areas due to soil problems (acidity & alkalinity) if plants are relatively grown under favorable growing temperatures, not beyond 35 degrees centigrade.