The 10 Best Rice Fertilizers to Increase Paddy Yield

The rising trend in rice production must continue to feed the world’s expanding population. Fertilizer application has been widely associated with the steady increase in rice yields since the Green Revolution. It is now essential to apply the best rice fertilizers at the ideal growth stage to maximize rice yield and reduce the negative effects of fertilizer loss. The best rice fertilizers should be applied at the right moment.

Like all crops, rice also needs a balanced diet to produce at its best. The application schedule, kind, and form of nutrients are important variables that impact the agronomic effectiveness of fertilizers. Increased productivity and decreased waste come from the plants’ efficient use of the nutrients when these components are managed properly.

Rice is the staple food for millions of people in Asia and around the world, but its cultivation is the largest consumer of freshwater resources globally, with over 75% of the world’s rice grown under flooded conditions. This system’s sustainability is threatened by rapid climate change, erratic rainfall, abiotic stresses, water and energy crises, low nitrogen use efficiency, micronutrient deficiencies, rising labor costs and reduced availability, increased methane emissions, yield stagnation, and negative effects on post-rice crops. To address these challenges and enhance rice yields, the use of specific fertilizers and best practices is essential. Here is a detailed guide on the nine best fertilizers to boost rice production and how to apply them effectively.

Best Rice Fertilizers and Application Stages

At Land Preparation

Farmyard Manure (FYM)

• • Quantity: 12.5 tons per hectare
  • Details: FYM is decomposed organic matter, primarily composed of animal dung and crop residues. It improves soil structure, enhances water retention, and adds essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. FYM also stimulates microbial activity in the soil, which helps in nutrient cycling and availability to plants.

Azotobacter

• • • Quantity: 2 kg per hectare
    • Mix with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg of sand
    • Application: Broadcast uniformly before transplanting.
    • Details: Azotobacter is a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This natural process reduces the need for chemical nitrogen fertilizers, promotes healthy plant growth, and enhances soil fertility.

Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)

• • Quantity: 2 kg per hectare
  • Mix with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg of sand
  • Application: Broadcast uniformly before transplanting.
  • Details: The helpful bacteria known as PSB change insoluble phosphates in the soil into soluble forms that plants can absorb. Because phosphorus is necessary for both root development and internal energy transfer in plants, its availability is increased as a result.

Potash Mobilizing Bacteria

• • Quantity: 2 kg per hectare
  • Mix with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg of sand
  • Application: Broadcast uniformly before transplanting.
  • Details: These bacteria help in releasing potassium from soil particles, making it more available for plant uptake. Potassium is crucial for various plant functions, including enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and resistance to diseases and environmental stresses.

At Transplanting (NPK 150:50:40)

Nitrogen (N)

• • Urea is a major source of Nitrogen.
  • Quantity: 30 kg per hectare
  • Details: A nitrogen fertilizer with a rapid release that is highly concentrated is urea. Nitrogen is crucial for rice plants’ vegetative growth because it fosters the growth of leaves and stems, which are necessary for photosynthesis and energy production. High yield per hectare, plant height, leaf size, and panicle number all depend on nitrogen. To make a pancake, rice needs a lot of nitrogen. Nitrogen provides a healthy green tint to the leaves of plants, which promotes growth.

Phosphorus (P)

• • Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) is a major source of Phosphorus.
  • Quantity: 109 kg per hectare
  • Details: DAP is a common fertilizer that supplies phosphate and nitrogen. Nucleic acid synthesis, energy transfer, and root development all depend on phosphorus. By providing vital nutrients to rice seedlings throughout their early growth stages, DAP application at transplanting offers them a head start. A balanced diet rich in phosphorus (P) is essential for maximizing rice grain yields. A critical component during the early phases of vegetative growth is phosphorus. Strong root system formation and early plant growth are encouraged by phosphorus.

Potassium (K)

1. • Muriate of Potash is a major source of Potassium.
   • Quantity: 100 kg per hectare
   • Details: One source of potassium, which is essential for the general health of plants, is potash, also known as potassium chloride. It improves the absorption of water, the activation of enzymes, and the production of carbohydrates and proteins. Additionally, rice plants that are stressed by diseases and drought are more resilient thanks to potassium.

Boron (B)

• • Borax is a major source of Boron.
  • Quantity: 8 kg per hectare
  • Details: Borax supplies boron, a micronutrient essential for cell wall formation, reproductive growth, and the development of new cells. Boron deficiency can lead to poor grain formation and reduced yields. Applying borax at transplanting ensures adequate boron availability throughout the growing season.

Early Tillering Stage (15-20 days after transplanting)

1st Top Dress with Urea

• • Quantity: 150 kg per hectare
  • Details: Applying a top dress of urea during early tillering provides an additional nitrogen boost. This stage is critical for the development of tillers, which are potential grain-bearing stems. Adequate nitrogen at this stage promotes vigorous tillering and sets the foundation for higher yields. At the Tillering stage, about 15-20 days after transplanting, a nitrogen topdressing should be applied, and this could be from a high Nitrogen NPK or straight N fertilizers like urea.

Active Tillering Stage (30-35 days after transplanting)

2nd Top Dress with Urea

• • Quantity: 150 kg per hectare
  • Details: A second top dress of urea during active tillering ensures continuous nitrogen availability, supporting further tiller development and leaf growth. Consistent nitrogen supply at this stage is vital for maintaining healthy plant growth and maximizing yield potential.

At the booting stage (45-50 days after transplanting)

Foliar Spray with NPK (0:52:34)

• • Concentration: 3-5 grams per liter of water.
  • Details: Foliar spraying with NPK (0:52:34) during the booting stage provides a targeted supply of phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus supports the development of panicles (flower clusters), while potassium enhances the plant’s overall health and resistance to diseases. The foliar application ensures quick nutrient uptake through the leaves.

At Heading (70-75 days after transplanting)

Foliar Spray with NPK (0:0:50)

• • Concentration: 3-5 grams per liter of water.
  • Details: Foliar spraying with NPK (0:0:50) at the heading supplies potassium to support grain filling and maturation. Potassium improves grain quality, weight, and resistance to environmental stresses. Foliar application at this stage ensures that nutrients are available when the plants need them most for grain development.

    

Tips for Effective Fertilizer Use

Soil Testing

Conduct soil tests to determine the nutrient status and pH level of your soil, as this helps in selecting the right type and amount of fertilizer needed. Understanding the specific nutrient composition through these tests allows you to identify which nutrients are deficient and which are in surplus. By knowing the nutrient status, you can select the appropriate type and quantity of fertilizer, ensuring that you meet the specific needs of your crops without over-application, which can lead to nutrient imbalances and environmental harm.

Split Application

Apply fertilizers in split doses rather than a single application to reduce nutrient losses and ensure a steady supply to the plants. This method minimizes nutrient losses due to leaching, volatilization, or runoff, providing a continuous supply of nutrients throughout the plant’s growth cycle.

Weed management

All rice cultivation methods have significant challenges from weed competition, however, with better weed management, yields can be raised by 23%. The pre-emergence herbicide pretilachlor or butachlor should be applied within three days of transplanting.

Integrated Nutrient Management

Combine the use of chemical fertilizers with organic matter to improve soil health and sustainability. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) combines the use of chemical fertilizers with organic matter, such as compost, manure, and crop residues. This approach improves soil health by enhancing its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Organic matter adds essential nutrients, improves soil structure, increases water retention, and promotes beneficial microbial activity. Combining organic and inorganic fertilizers ensures a balanced nutrient supply, leading to sustainable and long-term soil fertility.

Water Management

Ensure proper irrigation as nutrient uptake is highly dependent on water availability. Avoid waterlogged or overly dry conditions. Proper irrigation is crucial for the efficient uptake of nutrients by plants. Both excessive water and drought conditions can hinder nutrient availability and absorption. Waterlogged conditions can lead to nutrient leaching, while dry conditions can limit nutrient mobility in the soil. Implementing proper irrigation practices, such as maintaining appropriate water levels in paddy fields, helps ensure that nutrients remain available in the root zone and are absorbed efficiently by the plants. Avoiding extremes in water availability supports optimal growth and maximizes fertilizer efficiency.

FAQs

Q1. What is done to rice to produce a high yield?

One can produce a high yield by doing the following things:

• Transplant 14-18 days old seedlings.
• Plant 2-3 seedlings per hill.
• Fertilizers should be used as mentioned above in this article.
• Apply pre-emergence herbicide within 3 days of transplanting.

Q2. How do you increase tillering in rice?

To increase tillering in rice, transplant young seedlings when they are 14-18 days old, spacing them adequately to avoid overcrowding. Apply balanced fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, at the recommended rates to promote growth. Maintain proper water management, ensuring fields are not flooded continuously, but rather kept moist to encourage tillering. Additionally, implement appropriate weed management practices to minimize competition for nutrients and light. Following these steps will enhance tiller production and improve overall rice yield.

Q3. How do you induce flowering in rice?

To induce flowering in rice, several factors need to be managed. The primary method is photoperiod manipulation, where short-day conditions (about 10-12 hours of light) are provided to trigger flowering. Additionally, temperature plays a crucial role; maintaining a warm temperature around 25-30°C is optimal. Proper irrigation and nutrient management, especially ensuring adequate levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential. The use of growth regulators like gibberellic acid can also promote flowering. Gibberellin A3(GA,) reduced the minimum numbers of inductive cycles necessary to induce flowering.