The Effect of Different Dosages of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Rice Growth and Leafroller Populations

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an essential cereal grain crop, cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly in Asia. Several insect species are known to infest rice plants, both in open fields and in storage rooms. However, higher amounts of nitrogen fertilizer can increase plant growth, they may be responsible for initially attracting these insects to the plants. The field experiment for this study measured the effects of different nitrogen application rates on leafroller populations and rice crop growth. Five doses of nitrogen fertilizer were applied at three different times, with insect populations recorded after each application in leaf samples from six randomly selected spots on each plot. The results indicated that an optimum fertilizer dose of 75kg of urea per acre can minimize leafroller infestations and maximize plant growth. Moreover, this optimum application of fertilizer might also help plants develop resistance against invasive pest populations.