M. S. HOSSAIN1, K. M. KHALEQUZZAMAN2, S. M. K. ALAM3, HAYAT MAHMUD4 and M. W. ZAMAN5
1Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture Extension, Sirajganj, 2Senior Scientific Officer, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Ishurdi, Pabna, 3Principal Technical Officer, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Dhaka-1215, 4Upazila Agriculture Officer, Naria, Shariatpur, 5Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymenshigh, Bangladesh.
ABSTRACT
Field experiments were conducted in consecutive 2002 and 2003 at a farmer’s field in Bogra district of Bangladesh to ascertain the effects of composted press mud (PM) and cowdung (CD) on rice. Two levels PM and CD (5 and 10 tha-1) individually or in combination with two levels of chemical fertilizers (CF=NPKSZn) @ 50 and 75% of the recommended dose were applied. One control and one 100% CF were also included. RCBD experimental design was followed with four replications. PM @ 10 t ha-1 in combination with 75% CF performed either the highest or identical to the maximum grain, straw and TDM (total dry matter) yields and also influenced the yield contributing characters during two consecutive years. The highest grain (5.62 t ha-1) and straw (6.96 t ha-1) yields in 2002 were obtained from PM 10 t ha-1 + 75% CF against control (2.2 and 2.64 t ha-1). In 2003, the highest grain (6.81 t ha-1) and straw (8.24 t ha-1) yields were recorded by the treatment CD 10 t ha-1 + 75% CF whereas lowest recorded in control (2.61 t ha-1, 3.20 t ha-1, respectively). Rice yield and yield attributes significantly increased with the increasing amount of composted PM in combination with 50 or 25% reduced recommended rate of CF. The overall findings suggest that the composted PM combined with 50 or 75% CF can be an efficient practice for ensuring higher rice yield without deteriorating soil fertility.
Keywords: Press mud, Cowdung, Boro rice and Yield.