Urea-nitrogen, yield and nutrient-use efficiency in lowland rice (Oryza sativa) as affected by band placement of urea solution

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2 seasons (1992-93) with IR 50 and AIYI 36 rice . . (Orvza sativa L.) to evaluate tlie band placement of urea solution in comparison will1 ll~c convcnlional fertilizer application, neem-coated urea (NCU) application and point placement oll~mi~ suocrgranules. Higher NH+,-N and lower NO-,-N content in the soil was observed with band place~ncnl ~ I L I ~ c ~ I solution in both IR j0 and ADT 36.-~i~her NH+,-N content was observed, 1 dayafter ferlilizcr :~lq)lication and it subsequently decreased. Band placement of one-third urea solution N at 15 tl:~ys alter transplanting, two-thirds N at 35 days after transplanting at 50 and 100 kg Nlha execrtcd ;I signilicant positive influence on the yield parameters, yield of rice, agronomic efficiency and recovery o1N.