FOLIAR APPLICATION OF PHOSPHORUS, SULPHUR AND MICRONUTRIENTS OF ZINC AND IRON ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF RICE (Oryza sativa L.) UNDER RAINFED AND IRRIGATION IN THE GUINEA SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF GHANA

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a widely cultivated cereal crop in varied environments. It is grown for its high-quality grains that are high in carbohydrates. Rice production has employed more than 20 million African farmers, and it is estimated that rice provides a living for roughly 100 million people. A field experiment was carried out at two locations during the 2020 farming season, to examine the relative responses of rice to soil P and foliar P, and if foliar P application could compensate for lower soil applied P rate. In addition, if foliar Zn, Fe, and S applications might boost rice grain output. The study was a 2 x 8 factorial experiment laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The locations were Nyankpala and Bontanga under rainfed lowland and irrigation conditions respectively, and the nutrient formulations included: NPK1, NPK1+Zn+S+Fe, NPK1+Zn+Fe, NPK1+Zn, NPK2, NPK2+P+Zn+S+Fe, NPK2+P+Zn+Fe and NPK2+P+Zn. AGRA rice variety, which has a maturity period of 125 to 130 days was tested under both irrigated and rainfed lowland rice growing conditions. Results showed foliar P performed better in growth and yield responses compared to soil applied P, whilst irrigation ecology generally enhanced parameters more than the rainfed ecology. Rice yield increased with application of foliar S and the micronutrients, Zn and Fe; whereas foliar P application compensated for lower soil applied P. Grain yield was improved by combinations of micro- and macro-nutrients. Overall, higher responses in rice production were best supported by four treatments: NPK2+P+Zn, NPK1+Zn+S+Fe, NPK1+Zn, and NPK1+Zn+Fe. As such, farmers at both ecologies could improve rice production with the inclusion of foliar application of Zn, S, and Fe in their fertilization programme in order to maximize grain yield.