32

Chapter 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This study aimed to increase the yield of upland rice from its national average of

2.0 t/ha using bio-fertilizers and to determine the effect of these bio-fertilizers on upland

rice agronomic and physiological characteristics, yield and yield components, soil

characteristics, and economic feasibility of growing upland rice.

1. Agronomic Characteristics

a. Plant height.

Significant differences in plant height were observed only at 49 DAS to 77 DAS

(Table 1). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the plant height at 49 DAS, 56

DAS and 63 DAS was significantly different at 1% level. The plants applied with Vital N

and locally made bio-fertilizers were tallestat49 DAS,56 DAS, and 63 DAS. The average

plant height in locally made bio-fertilizer at 49 DAS, 56 DAS, and 63 DAS was 98.33

cm, 101.83 cm and 108.20 cm, respectively. Also, at49 DAS, 56 DAS, and 63 DAS, the

height of plants applied with Vital-N was 100.07 cm, 102.03 cm, and 107.13 cm,

respectively. This can be attributed to the maximum tillering at49 DAS, 56 DAS, and

stem elongation at 63 DAS. Likewise, the height of plants applied with Bio-N, Biogroe

and Mykovam were not significantly different from those plants applied with inorganic

fertilizer at 70 DAS, 77 DAS and 84 DAS.

 33

Table 1. The average plant height (cm) of red rice (Gi-os) grown in soil applied with different bio-fertilizers.

Plant Height (cm)

Treatment
21 DAS 28 DAS 35 DAS 42 DAS 49 DAS 56 DAS 63 DAS 70 DAS 77 DAS 84 DAS
T1
(Inorganic 105.60ab 113.77ab 126.10ab
Fertilizer) 45.70ab 57.10a 74.52a 83.80ab 87.97b 93.80b 98.43b c c c
T2
(Locally-Made
Bio-fertilizer) 46.83ab 57.93a 78.03a 88.73ab 98.33a 101.83a 108.20a 111.60a 119.63a 132.77a
T3 126.33ab
(Bio-N) 42.63b 55.37a 74.67a 82.53b 86.07b 89.97b 95.03b 101.83abc 110.80bc c
T4
(Biogroe) 43.13b 56.83a 75.77a 83.47ab 87.37b 92.27b 96.83b 100.43bc 109.13bc 122.00bc
T5
(Mykovam) 46.20ab 56.40a 75.37a 85.10ab 88.60b 90.67b 94.13b 98.33c 107.53c 120.47c
T6
(Vital-N) 48.70a 59.57a 78.57a 89.30a 100.07a 102.03a 107.13a 110.10ab 117.17ab 132.07ab

p-value 0.0565ns 0.6091ns 0.5128ns 0.1025ns 0.0018** 0.0082** 0.0061** 0.0484* 0.0482* 0.0873ns
In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.
 34

This can be attributed to the fact that additional increase in height is attained

during panicle initiation to booting stage at70 DAS to 77 DAS, and booting stage to

heading stage at84 DAS.

It was observed that application of locally-made biofertilizer and inoculation of

Vital-N in upland rice contributed to an increase in plant height that is comparable to that

of inorganic fertilizer application. Studies mentioned in http:// www. scribd.com revealed

that plants were taller when inoculated with Vital-N enriched with Azospirillium. Also,

bacteria generate plant growth hormones like indole acetic acid (IAA) which promotes

extensive root systems in plants, cytokinins, and gibberellins – like substances which

results to healthy and sturdy plants. The locally made bio-fertilizer and Vital N contained

beneficial microorganisms too; hence its application resulted to tallest plants.

b. Leaf Area Index (LAI).

Variable responses of leaf area index in the different bio-fertilizers were recorded

at 42 DAS, 62 DAS. 82 DAS and 102 DAS (Table 2). The plants applied with Vital-N

and locally made bio-fertilizers had highest leaf area index at 42 DAS and 62 DAS which

was 6.25, 5.47 and 13.79, 14.24, respectively. Also, the plants applied with inorganic

fertilizer, locally-made biofertilizer and Vital-N had highest leaf area index at 82 DAS

and 102 DAS. The average leaf area index in Vital-N and Locally made bio-fertilizer at

42 DAS and 62 DAS was 6.25 and 5.47, and 13.79 and 14.24 respectively.
 35

Table 2. The average leaf area index (LAI) of red rice (Gi-os) grown in soil applied
with different bio-fertilizers.

Treatment Leaf Area Index

42 DAS 62 DAS 82 DAS 102 DAS

T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 4.96bc 11.03b 14.62ab 14.82a

T2
(Locally-Made Bio-
fertilizer) 5.47ab 14.24a 16.56a 14.82a

T3
(Bio-N) 2.55e 7.01c 8.94c 10.24b

T4
(Bio-groe) 3.12de 8.90bc 7.04c 9.24b

T5
(Mykovam) 3.93cd 9.29bc 12.45b 11.55b

T6
(Vital-N) 6.25a 13.79a 16.02a 14.47a

p-value 0.0002** 0.0007** 0.0002** 0.0014**

In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5%
level by DMRT.

The average leaf area of plants grown in soil applied with inorganic fertilizer,

locally-made biofertilizer and Vital-N at 82 DAS and 102 DAS was 14.62, 16.56, and

16.02 and 14.82, 14.82 and 14.47 respectively. This can be attributed to an increase in

photosynthetic capacity of crops during early panicle initiation to heading stage. Fageria

(2006) stated that leaf area and dry matter of upland rice increases with advancement of
 36

plant age. Moreover, the plants applied with Vital-N and locally made bio-fertilizers had

highest leaf area index at 42 DAS, 82 DAS and 102 DAS but were not significantly

different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with inorganic fertilizer. In contrast,

at 62 DAS, the leaf area index of plants applied with Vital N and locally made fertilizers

was high and significantly different from those plants applied with inorganic fertilizer.

Likewise, the leaf area of plants applied with Biogroe, Mykovam was low compared to

those plants applied with Vital-N and locally made bio-fertilizer and significantly

different at 5% by DMRT. High leaf index indicates high photosynthetic capacity. The

application of Vital N and locally made bio-fertilizer resulted to an increase in leaf area

index and photosynthetic capacity of rice from tillering to heading.

2. Physiological Characteristics of Upland Rice

a. Crop Growth Rate (CGR)

The effect of different bio-fertilizers on crop growth rate was significantly

different at 5% level by DMRT at 62 DAS (Maximum tillering to Stem Elongation), 82

DAS (Panicle Initiation to Booting Stage) and 102 DAS (Heading to Flowering Stage) as

shown in Table 3. The plants applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer, Vital-N and

inorganic fertilizer at 62 DAS had highest crop growth rate which was 36.60, 32.80 and

31.73 g.m-2/day, respectively. This means that the speed of plant growth was fast.On the

other hand, the crop growth rate of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally-made

biofertilizer and Vital-N were not significantly different from each other but significantly

different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with Bio-N, Biogroe and Mykovam.
 37

Table 3. The average crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) of red rice
(Gi-os) grown in soil applied with different bio-fertilizers.

Crop Growth Rate Relative Growth Rate Net Assimilation Rate

Treatment (g.m-2/day) (g.g-1 dry wt/day) (g.m-2 leaf area/day)

62 DAS 82 DAS 102 DAS 62 DAS 82 DAS 102 DAS 62 DAS 82 DAS 102 DAS
T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 31.73ab 33.70a 43.22a 0.0780a 0.0548a 0.0465a 1.81a 1.65a 2.09a
T2
(Locally-Made Bio-
fertilizer) 36.60a 37.03a 40.47a 0.0854a 0.0549a 0.0442ab 1.99a 1.60a 1.88ab
T3
(Bio-N) 15.87c 16.67b 24.29c 0.0644a 0.0479ab 0.0439ab 1.51a 1.43a 1.92a
T4
(Bio-grow) 14.93c 13.80b 21.18c 0.0598a 0.0416b 0.0398ab 1.21a 1.25a 1.65abc
T5
(Mykovam) 21.87bc 21.07b 21.49c 0.0644a 0.0453ab 0.0363b 1.52a 1.25a 1.33c
T6
(Vital-N) 32.80ab 31.33a 31.89b 0.0628a 0.0444ab 0.0356b 1.48a 1.31a 1.41bc

p-value 0.0075** 0.0004** 0.0003** 0.2306ns 0.1368ns 0.0728ns 0.3180ns 0.5262ns 0.0242*
In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.
 38

This can be attributed to an increase in plant growth during vegetative phase and high dry

matter production of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally-made biofertilizer

and Vital-N.

The crop growth rate was determined in this study even though it is highly

recommended in comparing different cultivars. High dry matter production resulted to

high crop growth rate which indicate that high yield will be attained. The plants applied

with inorganic fertilizer and locally made biofertilizer showed highest crop growth rate at

102 DAS which was 43.22 and 40.47 g.m-2/day, respectively. Likewise, the crop growth

rate of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer was

significantly different to at 5% level by DMRT from treatments applied with Bio-N,

Biogroe, Mykovam and Vital-N. In contrast with other bio-fertilizers, the application of

locally made bio-fertilizer has increased the crop growth rate or speed of plant growth

with advancement of plant age.

b. Relative Growth Rate (RGR)

The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there were no significant

differences in relative growth rate among treatments at 62 DAS, 82 DAS and 102 DAS as

shown in Table 3. The plants applied with locally made biofertilizer showed the highest

relative growth rate at 62 DAS and 82 DAS which was 0.0854 and 0.0549 g.g-1 dry

wt/day, respectively. High relative crop growth rate at 62 DAS and 82 DAS indicates that

the rate of increase per above ground biomass per day occurs at a fast rate. The relative

growth rate of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer were not significantly different
 39

from treatments applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer, Bio-N, Biogroe, Mykovam and

Vital-N at 5% level by DMRT at 62 DAS. On the other hand, the relative growth rate of

plants applied with inorganic fertilizer and locally made bio-fertilizer were not

significantly different from the relative growth rate of plants applied with, Bio-N,

Mykovam and Vital-N but significantly different at 5%level by DMRT at 82 DAS from

treatments applied with Biogroe.

The plants applied with inorganic fertilizer during 102 DAS showed highest

relative growth rate which was 0.0465 g.g-1 dry wt/day. However, the relative growth rate

of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer were not significantly different from the relative

growth rate of plants applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer, Bio-N and Bio-groe but

significantly different at 5% level by DMRT from the relative growth rate of plants

applied with Mykovam and Vital-N.

It can be observed that the relative growth rate was decreased as the plants

approaches maturity. Blackman (1919) found out that the relative growth rate of cereals

such as rice decreases as the age of the crop increases. Moreover, this result can be

attributed to the change in dry matter production of crops. On the other hand, the relative

growth rate was not significantly different at 62 DAS, 82 DAS, and 102 DAS among

treatments hence the relative growth rate is best describe on the different type of cultivars

or variety. In contrast with other bio-fertilizers, the application of locally-made bio-

fertilizer has increased the relative crop growth rate or the increase per above ground

biomass per day occurs at a fast rate but the increase not significant as the plant

approaches maturity.
 40

c. Net Assimilation Rate (NAR)

Effect of inorganic fertilizer and bio-fertilizers on net assimilation rate was not

significant at the 62 DAS and 82 DAS growth stage of the crop (Table 3). The plants

applied with locally-made biofertilizer showed the highest net assimilation rate at 62

DAS which was 1.99 g.m-2 leaf area/day and the plants applied with inorganic fertilizer

showed the highest net assimilation rate at 82 DAS which was 1.65 g.m-2 leaf area/day.

Significant differences of plants on net assimilation rate were observed at 102 DAS. The

high net assimilation rate at 102 DAS indicates that the plant had high photosynthetic

efficiency. Moreover, the plants applied with inorganic fertilizer showed the highest net

assimilation rate which was 2.09 g.m-2 leaf area/day at 102 DAS. However, the net

assimilation rate of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer was not significantly different

at 5% level by DMRT from the net assimilation rate of plants applied with locally-made

bio-fertilizer, Bio-N and Biogroe but significantly different from the plants applied with

Mykovam and Vital-N. The application of either bio-fertilizers or inorganic fertilizer did

not significantly increase the plant mass per unit leaf area. The net assimilation rate is

also affected by favourable environmental conditions such as soil moisture, soil

temperature, soil fertility and soil pH.

d. Plant Dry Matter Production

Significant differences in dry matter production were observed at 42 DAS, 62

DAS, 82 DAS and 102 DAS as shown in Table 4. The plants applied with Vital-N

showed highest dry matter production at 42 DAS which was 6.37g. The dry matter
 41

production of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer was not significantly different at 5%

level by DMRT from plants applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer, Bio-N, Biogroe and

Mykovam but significantly different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with

Vital-N at 42 DAS. On the other hand, the plants applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally

made biofertilizer and Vital-N showed the highest dry matter production at 62 DAS and

82 DAS which was 20.17 g, 25.67 g, 22.77g and 38.0 g, 41.73 g 37.70 g, respectively.

Moreover, the dry matter production of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer

was not significantly different from plants applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer and

Vital-N but significantly different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with Bio-N,

Biogroe and Mykovam at 62 DAS and 82 DAS. The plants applied with inorganic

fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer showed the highest dry matter production at 102

DAS which were 69.13 g and 65.40 g respectively. Likewise, the dry matter production

of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer was not

significantly different at 5% level by DMRT but significantly different at 5% level by

DMRT from plants applied with Bio-N, Bio-groe, Mykovam and Vital-N at 102 DAS.

In contrast with other bio-fertilizers, the application of locally-made bio-fertilizer

has increased the plant dry matter production since the same plants had high leaf area

index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate.
 42

Table 4. The average plant dry matter production of red rice (Gi-os) grown in soil
applied with different bio-fertilizers.

Treatment Plant Dry Matter Production (g)

42 DAS 62 DAS 82 DAS 102 DAS

T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 4.30bc 20.17ab 38.00a 69.13a

T2
(Locally-Made Bio-
fertilizer) 4.70b 25.67a 41.73a 65.40a

T3
(Bio-N) 2.80c 10.73c 19.47b 39.23c

T4
(Bio-grow) 3.23bc 10.70c 17.03b 35.00c

T5
(Mykovam) 4.13bc 15.07bc 25.20b 36.37c

T6
(Vital-N) 6.37a 22.77a 37.70a 54.20b

p-value 0.0046** 0.0018** 0.0003** 0.0002**

In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5%
level by DMRT.

3. Plant and Soil Laboratory Analysis

a. Plant Tissue analysis

The plant analysis was done during flowering stage of the crop to determine the

nitrogen content present in the leaves of the plants and shown in Table 5.The plant tissue

analysis for nitrogen was done at flowering. The nitrogen is at maximum during

flowering stage and utilized at grain filling. The total nitrogen in the leaves of the plants
 43

applied with inorganic fertilizer (1.79%) were lower than the plants applied with locally-

made biofertilizer (1.86%), Biogroe (1.81%), and Vital-N (1.88) but higher than the

plants applied with Bio-N (1.75%) and Mykovam (1.74%). However, the nitrogen

content of leaves in all treatments indicates that nitrogen is at normal level and available.

Table 5. The average percent total nitrogen of red rice (Gi-os) plants grown in soil
with different bio-fertilizers.

Treatment Total % N

T1 1.79
(Inorganic Fertilizer)

T2 1.86
(Locally-Made Bio-fertilizer)

T3 1.75
(Bio-N)

T4 1.81
(Biogroe)

T5 1.74
(Mykovam)

T6 1.88
(Vital-N)

b. Soil analysis

The soil used was clayey, near neutral (pH=6.72), contained very high cation

exchange capacity (CEC=65.66cmol(+) /kg soil) and high organic matter (4.07%),

nitrogen (0.20%)and base saturation (84.88%).

 44

To evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizers on soil fertility, important soil chemical

properties such as pH, % organic matter (%OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and

percent base saturation (%BS) were determined before planting and after harvest (Table

6). The soil applied with inorganic fertilizer, Bio-N, Mykovam and Vital N was slightly

acid (pH=6.10 to 6.50). In contrast, the soil applied with locally made bio-fertilizer and

Bio-groe was near neutral (pH=6.6 to 7.3).

Both inorganic and bio-fertilizers did not cause any drastic negative effect on soil

pH. Most of soil nutrients are available and present in large amount. Moreover, the

organic matter present in soil applied with Mykovam and Bio-groe was very high

(4.57%) and moderately high (3.34%), respectively. On the other hand, high organic

matter was observed in soil applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally made bio-fertilizer,

Bio-N and Vital N.

The application of inorganic and bio-fertilizers did not cause any drastic negative

effect in organic matter. However, application of Mykovam and Bio-groe had increased

the organic matter content of the soil compared to other bio-fertilizers and inorganic

fertilizer. This can be attributed to the increase in microbial bio-mass or organic carbon

produced by microorganisms present in Mykovam and Bio-groe like fungi.

In terms of CEC or ability of soil to retain added nutrients, the soil applied with

inorganic matter, locally made bio-fertilizer, Bio-N, Bio-groe, Mykovam and Vital N

contained very high CEC or ability to retain added nutrients. Similarly, the same soil had

high % BS which was greater than 75%.

 45

Table 6. Analysis of important soil properties before planting and after harvest

Treatments
After Harvest
Soil Properties Before T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
Planting (Inorganic (Locally- (Bio-N) (Bio-groe) (Mykovam) (Vital-N)
Fertilizer) Made Bio-
fertilizer)

pH 6.72 6.10 6.90 6.20 6.90 6.40 6.20

% OM 4.07 4.20 4.21 3.92 3.34 4.57 3.92

%N 0.20 0.21 0.21 0.20 0.17 0.23 0.20

% BS (by NH4OAc) 84.88 126 135 112 82 121 116

CEC (cmol(+) /kg soil) 65.66 56.5 57.8 55.0 46.3 57.5 57.9

Bulk Density (g/cc) 1.16 1.05 1.02 1.14 1.13 1.09 1.04
 46

Clearly, the application of both inorganic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers did cause

any drastic change on %BS and CEC of the soil which contained an initial high %BS and

very high CEC.

Additionally, bulk density which is a soil physical property was determined to

evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizers on soil used. The soil used had an initial bulk density

of 1.16 g/cc which was lower then the average bulk density of 1.25 g/cc in cultivated soil.

Likewise, the soil applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally made bio-fertilizer, Bio-N,

Bio-groe, Mykovam, and Vital-N had bulk density lower than the average bulk density of

1.25 g/cc. This conforms to the fact that the soil used in the experiment was not cultivated

for crop production for ten (10) years and only creeping weeds covered the site prior to

its utilization for this research study. The soil applied with locally made bio-fertilizers

had the lowest bulk density of 1.02 g/cc which can be attributed to the greater bulk per

unit weight applied into the soil.

The following soil characteristics were monitored weekly:

a. Temperature

The temperature of soil was the same in all treatments. The average soil

temperature in all treatments at 21 DAS, 28 DAS, 35 DAS, 42 DAS, 49 DAS, 56 DAS

and 63 DAS was 32OC, 27OC, 29OC, 25OC, 29OC, 29OC and 30OC respectively (Figure 4).

The inorganic fertilizer and the different bio-fertilizers have no effect on the temperature

of soil. However, soil temperature influences the soil microbial activity. In the recorded

average soil temperature, mesophillic microorganisms are favoured and proliferate.

 47

b. Moisture Content

The soil moisture was the same in all treatments. The soil moisture in all

treatments at 21 DAS, 28 DAS, 35 DAS, 42 DAS, 49 DAS, 56 DAS and 63 DAS was

9, 10, 8, 10, 10, 9 and 10 respectively (Figure 4). Soil moisture level of < 5 and >5

indicates dry soil and moist soil, respectively. The inorganic fertilizer and the

different bio-fertilizers have no effect on the soil moisture. However, soil moisture

was recorded to make sure that the soil had sufficient water during plants’ vegetative

growth stage.

a. Soil pH

The soil pH was monitored weekly to evaluate the change because pH

influences microbial activity. The soil pH shown in Table 7 indicated that pH

approaches neutrality at 21 DAS to 63 DAS. This can be due to the fact that microbial

activities had stabilized or organic matter decomposition has been completed.

 48

Average Weekly
Temperature and Moisture
35
32
30
29 29 29
30
27
Soil Temperature (0C) and Moisture

25
25
Temperatur
20 e
Moisture

15
10 10 10 10
9 9
10 8

0
21 28 35 42 49 56 62
DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS
Days After Sowing (Day)

Figure 4. The average weekly Soil Temperature and Soil Moisture

 49

Table 7. The average pH of soil in weekly basis.

pH
Treatment
21 DAS 28 DAS 35 DAS 42 DAS 49 DAS 56 DAS 63 DAS
T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 6.0 6.7 6.8 6.8 6.7 7.0 7.0
T2
(Locally-Made Bio-
fertilizer) 6.2 6.7 6.8 6.7 6.5 7.0 7.0
T3
(Bio-N) 6.2 6.5 6.9 7.0 6.3 7.0 7.0
T4
(Bio-groe) 6.2 6.5 6.8 7.0 6.7 7.0 7.0
T5
(Mykovam) 6.0 6.5 6.8 7.0 6.8 7.0 7.0
T6
(Vital-N) 6.1 6.5 6.9 7.0 6.7 7.0 7.0
 50

4. Yield and Yield Components

a. Number of tillers

Significant differences in number of tiller were observed only at 21 DAS, 56

DAS, 63 DAS, 70 DAS and 77 DAS (Table 8). The plants applied with Vital-N showed

the highest number of tillers at 21 DAS which was 10. The number of tiller of plants

applied with inorganic fertilizer at 21 DAS was not significantly different from plants

applied with locally-made biofertilizer, Bio-N, Biogroe, and Mykovam but significantly

different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with Vital-N. On the other hand, the

plants applied with inorganic fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer showed the highest

number of tiller at 56 DAS, 63 DAS, 70 DAS and 77 DAS which was 21, 22, 22, 19 and

20, 21, 20, 19 respectively. Moreover, at 56 DAS and 63 DAS the number of tiller of

plants applied with inorganic fertilizer was not significantly different from plants applied

with locally-made biofertilizer, Bio-N, and Vital-N but significantly different at 5% level

by DMRT from plants applied with Biogroe and Mykovam.

The number of tiller of plants applied with inorganic fertilizer was not

significantly different at 70 DAS from plants applied with locally-made biofertilizer and

Bio-N but significantly different at 5% level by DMRT from plants applied with Biogroe,

Mykovam and Vital-N. Similarly, at 77 DAS, the number of tiller of plants applied with

inorganic fertilizer and locally made biofertilizer was not significantly different at 5%

level by DMRT but significantly different from plants applied with Bio-N, Biogroe,

Mykovam and vital at 5% level by DMRT.

 51

Table 8. The average number of tillers of red rice (Gi-os) grown in soil with different bio-fertilizer

Number of Tillers

Treatment
21 DAS 28 DAS 35 DAS 42 DAS 49 DAS 56 DAS 63 DAS 70 DAS 77 DAS

T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 8b 12a 15a 19a 20ab 21a 22a 22a 19a

T2
(Locally-Made Bio-fertilizer) 9ab 11ab 16a 19a 22a 20a 21a 20ab 19a

T3
(Bio-N) 9ab 11ab 14ab 17a 17abc 16ab 18ab 17abc 15bc

T4
(Biogroe) 7b 8b 11b 14a 13c 13b 14b 14bc 12c

T5
(Mykovam) 8b 10ab 12ab 15a 14bc 13b 14b 13c 12c
T6
(Vital-N) 10a 12a 16a 18a 17abc 17ab 17ab 15bc 13c

p-value 0.0423* 0.2059ns 0.0780ns 0.3459ns 0.0624ns 0.0261* 0.0434* 0.0397* 0.0033**
In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.
 52

These results indicated that application of locally-made biofertilizer and

inoculation of Bio-N in upland rice contributed to an increase in number of tillers that is

comparable to that of inorganic fertilizer application. The plants applied with locally-

made bio-fertilizers showed highest number of tillers among the bio-fertilizers used.

According to Higa and Wididana (1991), the effective microorganisms, which were one

of the components of locally-made bio-fertilizer, can improve soil quality, soil health and

growth, yield, and quality of crops.

In general, upland rice seeds treated with bio-fertilizers such as Vital-N, Biogroe

and Mykovam were lower in number of tiller than those treated with inorganic fertilizer,

locally-made biofertilizer, and Bio-N. Moreover, the number of tiller was significantly

different among treatments at56 DAS (maximum tillering) to77 DAS(panicle initiation).

b. Number of panicles

The plants applied with inorganic fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer had the

highest number of panicle/m2 which was 773 panicles/m2 and 747 panicles/m2

respectively as shown in Table 9. However, the number of panicle/m 2 of plants applied

with inorganic fertilizer and locally-made biofertilizer was not significantly different at

5% level by DMRT but significantly different from plants applied with Bio-N (613

panicle/m2), Biogroe (480 panicle/m2), Mykovam (480 panicle/m2) and Vital-N (533

panicle/m2) at 5% level by DMRT.

 53

Table 9. The average number of panicles, % productive tillers, spikelets per panicles, filled spikelets and % filled
spikelets per panicle, 1000-seed weight, grain yield, straw weight and harvest index of red rice (Gi-os)
grown in soil applied with different bio-fertilizers.

Yield Components
Filled % Filled 1000
Treatment Number Percent Spikelets Spikelets Spikelets Seed Grain Straw
of Productiv Per Per Per Weight Yield Weight Harvest
Panicles e Tillers Panicle Panicle Panicle (g) (t/ha) (kg) Index
T1
(Inorganic Fertilizer) 773a 83.73a 192a 172a 89.49a 28.40a 3.10a 8.34ab 0.169a
T2
(Locally-Made Bio- 199a 178a 27.87ab 3.14a 8.59a 0.170a
fertilizer) 747ab 83.51a 89.67a
T3
(Bio-N) 613bc 84.46a 166b 138b 83.00ab 27.10b 2.50b 7.83ab 0.148b
T4
(Bio-grow) 480c 79.75a 180ab 155ab 85.75ab 27.63ab 2.72b 7.93ab 0.159ab
T5
(Mykovam) 480c 82.97a 179ab 145b 80.20b 27.47ab 2.76b 7.66b 0.166a
T6
(Vital-N) 533c 73.27a 187ab 161ab 86.19ab 28.33a 3.05a 8.55a 0.166a

p-value 0.0033** 0.7972ns 0.0827ns 0.0187* 0.0776ns 0.0675ns 0.0022** 0.0835ns 0.0465*
In columns, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT.
 54

The number of panicles is affected by number of tillers and percent productive

tillers. In fact, high number of tillers and percent productive tillers result to high number

of panicles. The number of tiller and percent productive tiller of plants grown in soil with

locally-made bio-fertilizer were high; hence the same plants had high number of panicles.

c. Percent productive tillers

The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences among

treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.7972) as shown in Table 9. The percent

productive tillers ranges from 73.27% to 84.46%. The plants grown in soil with Bio-N

had a highest percent productive tiller which was 84.46% and those with Vital-N had

lowest percent productive tiller which was 73.27%.It was observed that the percent

productive tillers were not significantly different among treatments because of the same

plant spacing and environmental conditions such as soil moisture and temperature.

d. Total number of spikelets per panicle

The total number of spikelets per panicle ranges from 166 to 199. The plants

grown in soil with locally-made biofertilizer had highest total number of spikelets per

panicle which was 199 and those with Bio-N had lowest total number of spikelets per

panicle which was 166. The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant

differences among treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0827) as shown in Table 9

because of the same variety, environmental conditions.

 55

e. Number of filled spikelets per panicle

The total number of filled spikelets per panicle ranges from 138 to 178. The

plants grown in soil with locally-made biofertilizer had highest total number of filled

spikelets per panicle which was 178 and those with Bio-N had lowest total number of

filled spikelets per panicle which was 138. The analysis of variance showed that there

were significant differences among treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0187) as

shown in Table 9 because of variation in assimilated soil nutrients derived from different

bio-fertilizers.

f. Percent filled Spikelets

The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences among

treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0776) as shown in Table 9. However, the plants

grown in soil with locally-made bio-fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer had highest percent

filled spikelets since the same plants had high number of filled spikelets per panicle. The

percent filled spikelets ranges from 80.20% to 89.67%. The plants grown in soil with

locally-made biofertilizer had highest percent of filled spikelets per panicle which was

89.67% and those with Mykovam had lowest percent filled spikelets per panicle which

was 80.20%.

g. 1000-seed weight

The 1000-seed weight of upland rice seeds (Gi-os) ranges from 27.10 g to 28.40

g. The plants grown in soil with inorganic fertilizer had highest 1000-seed weight which
 56

was 28.40 g and those with Bio-N had lowest 1000-seed weight which was 27.10 g. The

analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences among treatments

at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0675) as shown in Table9 because of the same variety and

environmental conditions.

h. Grain yield

The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among

treatments at 1% level by DMRT (p=0.0022) as shown in Table 9. The grain yield ranges

from 2.50 t/ha to 3.14 t/ha. The grain yield of plants grown in soil with locally-made bio-

fertilizer (3.14 t/ha), inorganic fertilizer (3.10 t/ha), and Vital-N (3.05 t/ha) were not

significantly different but higher those with Bio-N (2.50 t/ha), Biogroe (2.72 t/ha) and

Mykovam (2.76 t/ha). These can be attributed mainly to the combined effect of the

different yield components of upland rice such as the number of panicles per square

meter, number of spikelets per panicle and percent filled spikelets. Higher values of yield

components resulted to higher grain yield. Moreover, the effective microorganisms which

were one of the components of locally-made biofertilizer can improve soil quality, soil

health and growth, yield, and quality of crops (Higa and Wididana, 1991).

i. Straw weight

The straw weight of upland rice (Gi-os) ranges from 7.66 kg g to 8.59 kg. The

plants grown in soil applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer had highest straw weight

which was 8.59 kg and those with Mykovam had lowest straw weight which was 7.66 kg.
 57

The analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences among

treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0835) as shown in Table 9.

j. Harvest index

The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among

treatments at 5% level by DMRT (p=0.0465) as shown in Table 9. The harvest index

ranges from 0.148 to 0.170. The plants grown in soil applied with locally-made

biofertilizer had highest harvest index which was 0.170 and those with Bio-N had lowest

harvest index which was 0.148. High harvest index value means high grain yield. The

plants grown in soil applied with locally-made bio-fertilizer had highest harvest index

and grain yield but not significantly different from those with inorganic fertilizer, Vital-

N, Mykovam and Biogroe and significantly different from those with Bio-N.

5. Cost and Return Analysis

Among the bio-fertilizers used, only locally-made bio-fertilizer and Vital-N are

comparable to inorganic fertilizer. Comparing the cost and return analysis in growing

upland rice (Gi-os) in soil applied with inorganic fertilizer, locally-made bio-fertilizer and

Vital N showed that Vital-N was more economically feasible as shown in Table 10. The

use of Vital-N had lowest total production cost (P9,880/ha) and return on capital

(1,134.82%) compared to using locally-made bio-fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer.

Table 10. Cost and return analysis

ITEM QUANTITY (per hectare) VALUE/UNIT(Php) TOTALVALUE (Php)

Locally Locally Locally
Inorganic Inorganic Inorganic
Made Bio- Vital-N Made Bio- Vital-N Made Bio- Vital-N
Fertilizer Fertilizer Fertilizer
Fertilizer Fertilizer Fertilizer
Income 3,100 3,140 3,050 40 40 40 124,000 125,600 122,000
kg. ha-1 kg. ha-1 kg. ha-1

Labor Cost
1. Plowing 3MAD 3MAD 3MAD 300 300 300 900 900 900

2. Furrowing 3MAD 3MAD 3MAD 300 300 300 900 900 900

3. Planting 6 MAD 6 MAD 6 MAD 160 160 160 960 960 960

4. Fertilizer Application 3 MAD 3 MAD - 160 160 - 480 480 -

5. Weeding and Cultivation 8 MAD 8 MAD 8 MAD 160 160 160 1280 1280 1280

6. Harvesting 8 MAD 8 MAD 8 MAD 160 160 160 1280 1280 1280

7. Threshing& Cleaning Machine Machine Machine 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500

8. Hauling& Drying 6MAD 6MAD 6MAD 160 160 160 960 960 960

Sub-total 8,260 8,260 7,780

Material Cost
1. Seeds 1 bag 1 bag 1 bag 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
2. Fertilizers SP: 210 kg 33.5 bags 1 pack or SP- 24 165 100 5,600 5,527.50 100
U: 20 kg (1 bag =25 0.100 kg U- 28
kg)

Sub-Total 7,600 7,527 2,100

15,860 15,787 9,880

Total Production Cost
108,140 109,813 112,120
Net Income
681.84 695.59 1,134.82
Return on Capital (%)
396.50 394.68 247.00
Breakeven Yield (kg)
5.12 5.03 3.24
Ave. Cost/kg (Php/kg)