Farmyard manure application increases spikelet fertility and grain yield of lowland rice on phosphorus-deficient and cool-climate conditions in Madagascar highlands

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major yield constraint for lowland rice production in the tropics. As P-fertilizer resources are finite, alternative fertilizer management is needed for sustainable rice production. We examined whether farmyard manure (FYM), a major nutrient source for smallholder farms, can overcome issue in typical P-deficient lowlands in the central highlands of Madagascar. A multi-location trial in sites varying in altitude and soil P availability, clarified that the effect of both FYM and mineral P fertilizer application on grain yield greatly increased at higher elevation and when the soil oxalate-extractable P content was <100 mg kg −1 . The yield increase was attributable to improved grain fertility, probably because FYM and mineral P applications decreased days to flowering and avoided low temperatures at late growth stages. Nutrient uptake assessment clarified that despite its relatively low P content, FYM had an equivalent effect on plant P uptake to those of mineral P fertilizer. We concluded that FYM application was effective in low-P availability soils at high altitude, as alternative of mineral P fertilizer. Further monitoring is required to assess the effect of consecutive FYM use on grain yield and plant nutrient uptake in the context of cold stress induced by P deficiency.

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review of Organic Farming Practices and Environmental Impact

“…Organic cultivation primarily utilizes legume green manures, including farmyard manure, compost from crop residues, vermicompost, and organic waste from animals [10]. These practices not only increase soil organic matter, enhancing water retention, porosity, and reducing soil compaction but also lessen erosion risks [11,12]. Furthermore, organic farming promotes biodiversity, strengthens ecosystems, and optimally uses natural resources, thereby boosting crop yields.…”

Organic materials with high P and low C:P ratio improve P availability for lowland rice in highly weathered soils: Pot and incubation experiments

“…Nevertheless, Asai et al. (2021) recently observed some reduction in P uptake following the application of FYM to soils with high oxalate extractable‐P (Pox); however, they did not determine the underlying mechanisms.…”