Comparison of grain yield and yield components of rice grown under different rates of conventional and Fertogroe tm N, P and K fertilizers

The use of nanofertilizers can be beneficial in improving nutrient use efficiency, maximizing crop productivity, and reducing environmental impact through controlled release of nutrients in the soil. The objective of the study was to develop FertiGroe sup TM N, P and K nanofertilizers application protocols under on-farm conditions. The study was conducted in Nueva Ecija, Philippines during the 2018 wet season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The response of rice grown under different rates of FertiGroe N, P, K (RRF) and conventional fertilizer (RRC) were compared based on grain yield, number of spikelets, and number of panicles. The fertilizer treatments were F1-0% NPK, F2-50% RRF, F3-100% RRF, F4-150 RRF, F5-50% RRC, F6-100% RRC, and F7-150% RRC. The grain yield of rice ranged from 4.9-5.7 tons ha-1 under RRF treatments from 4.4 - 4.9 tons ha-1 under RRC treatments. Among all treatments, the grain yield of F2 was not significantly different to that of F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7. Yield can therefore be maintained using lower rates of nanofertilizer, which may translate to decreased cost of production. Between RRF and RRC, 100% RRF performed better than 100% RRC and similarly, 150% RRF performed better than 100% RRC. Additionally, an added benefit of RRF treatments is an increase in spikelet number (RRF - 110 to 129; RRC - 96-110). However, the number of panicles under RRF treatments were lower than RRC treatments, which led to their similar yield production. This result shows a potential of RRF treatment to improve the rice plant's yield production efficiency, maximizing the capacity of each panicle to produce gain. Overall, these results showed the potential of FertiGRoe sup TM nanofertilizers. Further collection of data in 2019 will be done to confirm and strengthen the conclusions from these preliminary data.