Increasing nutrient use efficiency in rice with changing needs

The use of N fertilizer in Asia has increased from 24 to 39% of the world's total consumption between 1973 and 1987/88. Approximately 60% of the N fertilizer consumed in Asia is used on rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, the N applied to rice, primarily as urea, is not effectively utilized by the crop. Ammonia volatilization is recognized as a major mechanism of N loss, causing ineffective N utilization. Basal incorporation of urea without standing water; deep placement of urea; and modification of urea with algicides, urea inhibitors or coatings are strategies to reduce ammonia loss. Loss of N by nitrification-denitrification may be a serious problem particularly when soil is dried between rice crops, then flooded for the subsequent rice crop. The use of organic N sources, such as green manure and organic manures, as partial substitutes of inorganic N fertilizer is receiving renewed research interest.The use of P fertilizers for rice is most necessary on Oxisols and Ultisols with high P-fixing capacity. Phosphate rock and partially acidulated phosphate rock are alternatives to soluble P sources used on these soils. Response to K is normally highest on light-textured soils. The limited available information suggests that in lowland rice-upland crop rotations, K fertilizers should be applied to the non-rice crop. Zinc deficiency can be overcome through (a) use of varieties more tolerant to zinc deficiency, (b) application of zinc sulfate, and (c) dipping seedling roots in a zinc oxide suspension.Increasing use of S-free fertilizers, intensive cropping, and use of high yielding rice varieties have led to S deficiency in many rice growing countries. Sulfur deficiency can be corrected by applying S-containing materials even with elemental S. Residual effects have also been reported even at a low rate of 20 kg S/ha. Thus, S does not need to be applied every season.To address the unresolved integrated nutrient management issues, both strategic and applied research are required on interacting soil-plant-water-nutrient-climate processes. Long-term sustainability is one of the parameters that must be considered in evaluating the desirability of alternative rice technologies.Paper presented at the Fertilizer Asia Conference and Exhibition, 15–18 October 1989, Manila.