Dr. Amanullah, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan
21.04.2017
Proponent
Phosphorus and zinc fertilization improve food and feed nutrition under rice-wheat cropping system
Dr. Amanullah* (Associate Professor Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar) &
Dr. Inamullah (Agriculture Officer, Department Agriculture Extension, Batkhela, Malakand)
Date/Timeframe and location
Two years: 2011-2012 (year one) & 2012-2013 (year two). Conducted on smallholder field at Batkhela, Malakand (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in Northwest Pakistan.
Main responsible entity
Three factors experiments under rice-wheat cropping system:
Factor A: Three Genotypes:
G1 = Basmati-385 (fine)
G2 = Fakhr-e-Malakand (coarse)
G3 = Pukhraj (coarse)
Factor B: P levels (kg P/ha):
P0 = 0
P1 = 40
P2 = 80
P3 = 120
Factor C: Zn Levels (kg Zn/ha):
Zn0 = 0
Zn1 = 5
Zn2 = 10
Zn3 = 15
Subsequent wheat crop = (cv. Siren-2010)
Cropping System: Rice-Wheat Cropping System
Nutrition context
Food (grains) and feed (straw) quality improve i.e. zinc concentration in rice and wheat grains (human food in Asia) and rice & wheat straw (animal feed in Asia) increase significantly with proper P and Zn nutrition under the dominant rice-wheat cropping system in Asia. Significant increase in Zn concentration in both grains and straw was recorded with higher zinc rates (10 or 15 kg Zn/ha) as compared with lower rate (5 kg Zn/ha) and control (Zn not applied).
Significant variation among rice genotypes i.e. Pukhraj (coarse hybrid rice), Fakhre-Malakand (coarse rice) and Basmati-385 (fine rice) was also observed. Interaction between years and rice genotypes (Y x G) indicated that Zn concentration in grain and straw of all three rice genotypes was higher in year two than year one of the experiment. The increase in Zn concentration was more in case of coarse rice genotypes (Pukhraj & F-Malakand) than fine rice genotype (B-385).
Interaction between phosphorus and zinc (P x Zn) indicated that increase in Zn level increased both grain and fodder quality (with higher Zn concentration) in plots having higher phosphorus level in the soil. The increase in phosphorus level reduced zinc concentration in both grain and straw with a correspondence decrease in Zn level in the soil.
The two higher rates of phosphorus (80 and 120 kg P/ha) and zinc (10 and 15 kg Zn/ha) application in combination had significantly improved crop productivity, profitability, food (grain) and feed (straw) quality as compared to the control plots (where no P and Zn applied) under rice-wheat cropping system.
Key characteristics of the food system(s) considered
Zinc content is low in food (grains) and feed (straw) of rice and wheat crops in Asia especially under rice-wheat cropping system. As the rice-wheat cropping system has been in practice in Asia for more than 1000 years. Therefore, the continuous cropping of rice-wheat system for several decades has resulted in depletion of plants nutrients (major and micro nutrients) which have negative effect not only on crop yield but also on grain (food) and straw quality (feed).
Key characteristics of the investment made
Integrated nutrients management under rice-wheat cropping system in Asia is key to improve food and feed quality. Our two years field experiments confirmed that proper phosphorus and zinc fertilization under rice-wheat cropping system improve crop productivity and its quality as well as growers income under cereal based cropping systems.
Key actors and stakeholders involved (including through south-south/triangular exchanges, if any)
University (faculty & students)
Agriculture Extension (officers & field assistants)
Smallholders (growers, farmers)
Key changes (intended and unintended) as a result of the investment/s
Rice yield is very low (2000 kg/ha) in northwest Pakistan. Growing hybrid rice and proper nutrients management not only improve rice yield (more than 6000 kg/ha) and its quality but also improve yield of subsequent wheat crop under rice-wheat cropping system. The rice growers in the area appreciated our efforts and like to grow rice hybrid rice than the old low yielding rice cultivars in the area.
Challenges faced
Growers or smallholders in the area are very poor.
Unavailability of chemical fertilizers.
High cost of chemical fertilizers & farmers can’t purchase.
Unavailability of good quality and high yielding rice hybrids/cultivars.
Farmers do not accept the modern production technology of field crops due to lack of eduction.
Small land holding and high population.
Transport & Market problems (dominant middle man).
Government polices?
Lessons/Key messages
The donor agencies like FAO and others must focus on the smallholders in developing countries of Asia and Africa. Big or small, long- or short-term projects need to be sponsored by the donor agencies in the backward area. Most of the international and national experts are not ready to go and train the smallholders in these areas. The local experts from universities, research system and agriculture extension department need funding to disseminate the modern production technology of field crops cultivation in these areas, thanks.
Dr. Amanullah
Associate Professor of Agronomy
The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan
Prof. Dr. Amanullah