Rice cultivation is under increasing pressure to produce more yield to satisfy the growing global population, particularly in countries like India. Researchers are exploring sustainable agricultural practices to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, which pose risks to the environment and soil health. A recent study conducted by a team from the Rice Research Station, Wangbal, Manipur, evaluated the effectiveness of different compost types combined with chemical fertilizers on rice growth and productivity.
The researchers conducted the study over two growing seasons (2022-2023), focusing on the local rice variety RCM-13, which matures over 111 days. The goal was to assess the impact of three types of compost: municipal solid waste compost, vermicompost, and phumdi compost. They maintained eight different treatments—ranging from controls with no fertilizers to full chemical fertilizer applications—to understand what combinations produced optimal growth and yield.
Notably, the findings revealed promising results. The combined application of 50% phumdi compost and 50% chemical fertilizer led to 33.6% more grain yield and 26.21% higher straw yield than using chemical fertilizer alone. Similarly, mixtures of municipal solid waste compost and chemical fertilizer yielded respective increases of 5% and 13.16% compared to the sole chemical fertilizer application. This marks the compost combination approach as a viable alternative to conventional fertilization methods.
The study's setting offered several advantages. The location experiences sub-tropical weather, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius and average annual rainfall between 1000-1200 mm. The soil was found to be acidic but with adequate organic content, making it conducive for the application of various composts, which are rich sources of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—essential for plant growth.
Through comprehensive testing, it was established how the growth characteristics of rice varied across the different treatments. The application of phumdi compost, in conjunction with chemical fertilizers, showed significant increases across specific metrics, such as panicle length and spikelet numbers, both of which correlate positively with higher grain yields. The results demonstrated the important role of integrated nutrient management practices, utilizing both organic and chemical inputs sustainably.
One of the noteworthy benefits from the study is the potential for utilizing the phumdi material—a unique floating mass of soil and aquatic vegetation from Loktak Lake, which is also facing ecological challenges due to eutrophication. By converting this waste material to compost, not only can rice farmers gain increased productivity, but it can also alleviate burdening the lake ecosystem by reducing the amount of phumdi accumulation.
The study also references the alarming amount of solid waste generated daily; about 170,339 tons, much of which can be repurposed for composting. This finding opens the door to potential collaborations between agricultural practices and waste management systems, allowing for more eco-friendly rice cultivation practices to emerge.
The authors propose this integrated approach to nutrient management, which combines organic and inorganic sources, as one of the potential pathways forward for sustainable farming. The results could have far-reaching impacts on ensuring food security for India's vast population without compromising environmental health.
Considering all the factors, substituting 50% of chemical fertilizers with locally sourced composts—particularly phumdi compost and vermicompost—could present farmers with both economic benefits and ecological sustainability. The balance struck between productivity and environmental protection might be key for the future of rice cultivation as the demand for this staple food grows ever higher.
The research emphasizes the importance of pursuing sustainable agricultural practices and highlights the significance of utilizing local resources efficiently, paving the way for farmers to make informed choices for both crop yield enhancement and soil health maintenance.