Abstract
Limited soil nitrogen (N) availability constrains crop growth and yield. Low
N use efficiency (NUE) coupled with overuse of fertilizer-N result in environmental
pollution and huge economic loss. Hence, effects of
N management practices on rice grain yield and NUE were studied in
two separate experiments in experimental farm and farmer’s field. Each of
the study was conducted in two consecutive rice seasons of Boro (dry
season rice) and Transplanted Aman (T. Aman) (wet season rice) using
several N treatments. Results revealed that compared with the recommended
dose of N (RDN), urea super granule (USG) and biochar with RDN
(BRDN) increased grain yield by 6–18% irrespective of experimental sites
and cropping seasons. USG contributed to the highest NUE, while. USG
and BRDN increased agronomic efficiency (1.3–2.3 folds), apparent
N-recovery (1.3–1.9 folds) efficiency and physiological efficiency (0.9–1.3
folds), compared to RDN. USG appeared to be economically the most
viable option, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.5–1.6 over locations and
seasons. BRDN showed a lower BCR (1.1–1.2) due to additional expense on
biochar. Biochar might contribute towards a carbon-negative economy,
and its economic benefits require to be addressed. Supportive government
policies are needed for adoption of USG and biochar in agriculture.
N use efficiency (NUE) coupled with overuse of fertilizer-N result in environmental
pollution and huge economic loss. Hence, effects of
N management practices on rice grain yield and NUE were studied in
two separate experiments in experimental farm and farmer’s field. Each of
the study was conducted in two consecutive rice seasons of Boro (dry
season rice) and Transplanted Aman (T. Aman) (wet season rice) using
several N treatments. Results revealed that compared with the recommended
dose of N (RDN), urea super granule (USG) and biochar with RDN
(BRDN) increased grain yield by 6–18% irrespective of experimental sites
and cropping seasons. USG contributed to the highest NUE, while. USG
and BRDN increased agronomic efficiency (1.3–2.3 folds), apparent
N-recovery (1.3–1.9 folds) efficiency and physiological efficiency (0.9–1.3
folds), compared to RDN. USG appeared to be economically the most
viable option, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.5–1.6 over locations and
seasons. BRDN showed a lower BCR (1.1–1.2) due to additional expense on
biochar. Biochar might contribute towards a carbon-negative economy,
and its economic benefits require to be addressed. Supportive government
policies are needed for adoption of USG and biochar in agriculture.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science |
| Volume | 71 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Print publication - 4 Feb 2025 |
Keywords
- Nitrogen
- rice
- fertiliser
- Household
- Benefit-cost ratio (BCR)
- Biochar
- deep placement of urea super granule (USG)
- nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)
