Abstract:
Chemical fertilizers are a source of soil degradation. In order to mitigate soil
degradation and to face the negative impacts of climate change, the use of organic
fertilizers, accessible to small farmers can maintain the productivity of
cereals including rice. The objective of this experiment is to study the effect of
organo-mineral fertilizers on soil chemical properties, growth and physiology
parameters and yield of rice. For this purpose, a completely randomized block
design with three replications was adopted. Different organic (Fertinova, Organova
and Fertinova + Organova) and mineral (NPK + Urea) fertilizers were
applied to cultivate the NERICA L19 variety of rice. The soil chemical properties
(pH), germination rate, growth, yield and physiological (chlorophyll content)
parameters were assessed. The results revealed a germination rate of the
grains varying between 87.5 and 100%. Fertinova and Fertinova + Organova
had the highest germination rates. Soil pH decreased significantly from initial
(6.71 ± 0.01) to final (5.73 ± 0.04) with the development cycle of the rice. Organo-
mineral fertilizers influenced significantly (p = 5.36e−09) soil chemical
properties by increasing pH (4%) compared to Control. Analysis of variance
on growth and yield parameters, yield and chlorophyll content revealed a significant
difference (p < 0.05) between fertilizers. Growth and yield parameters
and yield were significantly higher in NPK and Fertinova + Organova than in
Fertinova, Organova and Control. For the biomass the NPK + Urea recorded
significantly highest biomass (488.28 ± 60.83 g). Leaves chlorophyll content
varied significantly according to the daytime and the status of leaf development.
The higher chlorophyll content was recorded at noon (27.96 ± 0.32
SPAD value) and with young leaves (30.21 ± 0.35 SPAD value). NPK + Urea
(29.36 ± 0.45 SPAD value) and Fertinova (27.78 ± 0.40 SPAD value) favored more chlorophyll content in the rice leaves. Rice performed better in NPK +
Urea and Fertinova + Organova fertilizers.
Description:
A thesis, in the Rural Polytechnic Institute of Training and Applied Research (IPR/IFRA) in partnership with the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change and Agriculture of the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB)
