Abstract:

Nutrient management and fertilizer application are influential elements for high yield and preferred grain quality. Negligible information is available regarding fertilizer application in the paddy fields in Afghanistan. This research elucidates the efficacy of different fertilizers’ application on growth attributes, yield potential, and grain quality of rice. The treatments included the traditional application rate of nitrogen and phosphorus (RD), animal manure (AM), animal manure with 50% nitrogen and phosphorus of the traditional application rate (AMRD), sawdust (SD), and sawdust with 50% nitrogen and phosphorus of the traditional application rate (SDRD). Growth parameters, grain yield and its components, physicochemical properties, and morphological observation using scanning electron microscopy were recorded. The results revealed that the greatest panicle number, spikelet number, and grain yield were recorded in AMRD and SDRD treatments. Both AMRD and SDRD treatments increased the percentage of protein, amylose, and lipid contents, as well as the percentage of perfect grain compared to the RD treatment. Rice grain in RD treatment had very few protein bodies and their traces (pits), as well as the formation of amyloplasts and starch granules, were normal. However, AMRD and SDRD increased the number of protein bodies and their pits in the rice endosperm. The shapes of the amyloplasts were round and polyhedral with diverse sizes. Starch granules were polygonal with sharply defined edges. This research encourages farmers to adopt the combined application of manures and fertilizers to decrease the dependence on inorganic fertilizers.

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