Effects of Biofertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice

The effect of biofertilizer (compound of microbial inoculants or groups of micro-organisms) on growth and yield of rice was investigated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications and 7 treatments namely: $RF=N-P_2O_{5-}K_2O$ (11-5.5-4.8 kg $10a^{-1}$); half of the recommended fertilizer rate, $HRF=N-P_2O_5-K_2O$ (5.5-2.75-2.4 kg $10a^{-1}$); HRF+Bio 250=HRF combined with 250 kg biofertilizer $10a^{-1}$; HRF+Bio 500=HRF combined with 500 kg biofertilizer $10a^{-1}$; Bio 250=250 kg biofertilizer $10a^{-1}$; Bio 500=500 kg biofertilizer $10a^{-1}$; and NF = No Fertilizer. Results showed that the recorded values of plant height, tiller number and chlorophyll content at 40 to 60 days after transplanting (DAT) in HRF+Bio 500 were significantly higher than those recorded in the RF treatment. Similar observations between these two treatments were only recorded from 60 DAT onwards. Yield components were also superior in HRF+Bio 500 treatment and comparable to that of RF. The highest grain yield obtained in HRF+Bio 500 treatment (785.8 kg $10a^{-1}$) was statistically similar to that of RF (739.8 kg $10a^{-1}$) but significantly higher than that of NF (506.7 kg $10a^{-1}$). Finally, head grain recovery (90.9) was low while chalkiness (0.03) was high at HRF+Bio 500 treatment as compared with RF, which were (96.1) and (0.3), respectively. Results showed that combined treatment of HRF and 500 kg biofertilizer $10a^{-1}$ has similar effects on the growth and yield of rice with that of RF.