Application of Organic Fertilizer Tithonia Plus to Control Iron Toxicity and Reduce Commercial Fertilizer Application on New Paddy Field

Abstract

Ferrous toxicity is a one of the problems most often found in lowland rice systems in tropical and sub-tropical region
especially in new paddy field (NPF) on Ultisols and Oxisols. Flooding during rice growth creates a chemically
reduced state in soils causing reduction of insoluble (Fe3+) to soluble (Fe2+) form even at excessive level. Excessive
Fe2+ uptake is eventually the main cause of iron toxicity. The purpose of this study was to find an appropriate
formulation of organic fertilizer Tithonia plus (OFTP) to control the iron toxicity, reduce the application of commercial
fertilizers (CF) and increase rice production at various ages of NPF. The field experiment was conducted in farmer
fields in Sitiung, Koto Baru sub-district, Dharmasraya district of West Sumatra province. Experimental design used
was a factorial 2 x 6 in a split plot design. The main plot (A), the age of the opening of NPF were: 0 year;and 2 years;
Subplot (B) a formulation of OFTP were: 2 Mg Tithonia ha-1 + 75% of CF; 2 Mg Tithonia ha-1 + 5 Mg rice straw
ha-1 + 50% of CF; 4 Mg Tithonia ha-1 + 25% of CF and three treatmens without Tithonia i.e. 5 Mg rice straw ha-1 +
75% of CF; 2 Mg animal cow manure ha-1 + 75% of CF, and 100% of CF. Liming with 500 kg CaCO3 ha-1were applied
for all treatments. The results showed the use of OFTP increased the nutrients availability such as N, P, and K on
NPF and control the iron toxicity. The appropriate formulation of OFTP to control the iron toxicity and reduced the
application of chemical fertilizer for higher rice production at NPF were two options: (1) 2 Mg of Tithonia ha-1 + 5 Mg
of rice straw ha-1 + 50% of commercial fertilizers; and (2) 2 Mg of Tithonia ha-1 + 75% of commercial fertilizers. In this
case the reducing of commercial fertilizers application were 50% and 25%, respectively.

[How to Cite: Hakim N, Agustian and Y Mala. 2012. Application of Organic Fertilizer Tithonia Plus to Control Iron Toxicity and Reduce Commercial Fertilizer Application on New Paddy Field. J Trop Soils 17: 135-142. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.135]

[Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2012.17.2.135]