Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food of
Bangladesh. Among the three rice seasons, boro
rice covers about 56.66% of total rice area and it
contributes to 43.24% of the total rice production
in the country (BBS, 2008). Rice is intensively
cultivated in Bangladesh covering about 80% of
arable land. Unfortunately, the yield of rice is
low in Bangladesh than in the other rice growing
countries like South Korea and Japan where the
average yield is 7.00 and 6.22 t/ha, respectively
(FAO, 1999). On the other hand, the demand for
increasing rice production is mounting up to feedthe ever-increasing population. A suitable
combination of organic and inorganic sources of
nutrients is necessary for sustainable agriculture
that can ensure food production with high
quality. Applications of both chemical and
organic fertilizers need to be applied for the
improvement of soil physical properties and
supply of essential plant nutrients for higher
yield. The application of different levels of
irrigation in boro rice affect the yield, nutrient
accumulation and boro rice quality. More
nutrients are leached out from soil when higher
levels of irrigation water are added during boro
rice growing period. Moisture levels affect the
organic matter accumulation and mineralization.
Yang et al. (2004) reported that application of
chemical fertilizers with farmyard manure or
wheat straw in alternate wetting and drying
condition increased N, P, & K uptake by rice
plants, increased 1000 grain weight and grain
yield of rice. Use of appropriate levels of
fertilizer and irrigation in boro rice is important
for maintaining productivity and fertility.
Considering the present situation the present
study was undertaken to: develop a suitable
integrated dose of inorganic fertilizers combined
with different manures for Boro rice; evaluate
the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizer
with different water management on the yield,
yield components and nutrient concentration of
Boro rice; and investigate the improvement of
soil fertility due to the use of organic manure in
combination with chemical fertilizers.