Impact of Split Foliar Nitrogen Application on Water Use Efficiency and Productivity of Boro Rice in Raised Bed over Conventional Method

Abstract

Introduction of raised bed cultivation system for boro rice production is a major concern now days. A field experiment compared between two cultivation methods: boro (winter, irrigated) rice on raised beds with split foliar spray of N fertilizer and fertilizer broadcasting in conventional planting was conducted in Chuadanga district of Bangladesh. Result showed that foliar spray in raised bed increased grain yield of transplanted boro rice up to 19.54% over conventional planting. Split foliar spray of N fertilizer in raised bed planting increased the number of panicle m^-2, number of grains panicle^-1 and 1000-grain weight of rice over those from the conventional planting method. Better plant growth attribute was observed by foliar spray of N fertilizer in raised bed planting compared to conventional planting. Sterility percentage and weed infestation were lower on foliar spray in raised bed than the conventional planting method. About 40.14% irrigation water and time for application could be saved by foliar spray in raised bed compared to conventional planting. Water use efficiency for grain and biomass production was higher by foliar spray of N in bed planting than the fertilizer broadcasting in conventional method. Similarly, agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer in bed planting was higher than the fertilizer broadcasting in conventional planting. This study concluded that split foliar spray of N fertilizer in raised bed for boro rice is a new approach to get fertilizer and water use efficiency as well as higher yield and less water input compared to conventional cultivation method.