Abstract:
The study is aimed at evaluating the response of rice variety fertilizer SARO (TXD 306) to P, Zn
and Cu from different P sources fertilizers in selected rice growing areas in Kilombero district.
Soil fertility analysis was conducted to determine physical and chemical properties of soil for
suitability of rice growing. A screen house and field experiments were conducted to assess the
response of rice variety SARO (TXD 306) to P, Zn and Cu from fertilizers sources (MPR,
Minjingu mazao and DAP) and different levels of Zn and Cu using soils from Mbasa village.
The results showed that the soils are acidic (pH 5.2 to 5.9), with low P (1.48 to 9.83 mg kg-1),
low total N (0.11 to 0.22 mg kg-1), exchangeable Ca (< 10 cmol kg-1) and base saturation (2.38
to 5.54 %). The experimental results showed significant higher grain yield in all P sources (>
29.7 g pot-1) at (P<0.05) than the control (N alone) treatment (15.5 g pot-1) in P deficient Mbasa
soil. Minjingu mazao did not differ (P < 0.05) from other P sources in terms of grain yield in
soils under screen house conditions. Application of 2.5 mg kg-1 Zn in combination with DAP
gave highest grain yields (39.23 g pot-1) but was statistically similar to Minjingu mazao.
Under field condition in Mbasa Vijana 1 soil, all P sources resulted in significantly higher grain
yield of 5.92 t ha-1 in Minjingu fertilizers and 6.94 t ha-1 in DAP than control 4.42 t ha-1.
Application of Zn and Cu increased grain yield to a maximum of 6.38 in Minjingu and 7.51 t ha1 in DAP with all rate of Zn and 1.1 mgkg-1 Cu treatments. Minjingu mazao fertilizer was
comparable to other P sources and has the ability to supply P as DAP fertilizer. |
