NAME: GENESIS JOY I.

MARBELLA
COURSE & YEAR: BSA-II

Growth and Yield Performance of Irrigated Lowland Rice NSIC Rc218

(Oryza sativa L.) by using Combined Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer

Background of the Study

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important food crop of the developing world and the staple

food of more than half of the world’s population and sources of livelihood among rice farmers not only in

Southern Luzon but also in some rice growing areas in Southeast Asia. Rice not only fulfills the

nutritional needs of human beings but also possesses several medicinal properties and therapeutic values.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the world rice consumption in 2021-2022

was around 519,895 million tons, but it is expected to increase to 517,184 tons this year 2022-2023

(Statista 2023).

Irrigated lowland rice like NSIC Rc218 developed by PhilRice is considered special rice because

it has high sensory preference and acceptability as it is tender and tastier than the other common rice

varieties (PhilRice, 2013). However, its yield potential cannot cope with the present demand, so there is a

need to find ways to increase its production.

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that contain moderate amount of plant

essential nutrients. They are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They

gradually release nutrients into the soil solution and maintain nutrient balance for healthy growth of crop
plants. They also act as an effective energy source of soil microbes which in turn improve soil structure

and crop growth.

Inorganic fertilizers allow growers to maximize their crop yield on a specific piece of land —

the more the plant grows, the better. Fertilizer works to ensure that each piece of land produces as

efficiently as possible.

A PhilRice study (1993-2012) on continuous application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on

irrigated rice shows that achieving nutritional balance between these two inputs results in better soil

productivity and functionality than using either of them singly.  

Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of irrigated lowland

rice (NSIC Rc218) using combined Organic and Inorganic Practices and what fertilizer combination will

provide higher economic return in rice production.