Decaying Utricularia-biomass versus soil-based substrate for production of high quality pre-transplanted rice seedlings using floating seedbeds
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Rice growing season at riparian wetlands in Indonesia is started at the end of rainy season before floodwater completely subsides.However, available materials for nursery substrate are limited during flooding period of the wetlands.This study aimed to evaluate three available and affordable substrates for producing high quality rice seedlings.The three substrates evaluated were decaying biomass of Utricularia vulgaris (DBUv); mixed of soil and U. vulgaris biomass plus biochar (SUv+B); and soil amended with biochar (S+B).Rice seedling preparation was done using modified floating seedbeds, adjusted specifically for light weight load of the evaluated substrates.Results of this study indicated that seedlings sown on DBUv substrate were significantly taller than those on S+B or DBUv substrate at 21 DAS.Roots of seedlings sown on DBUv substrate exhibited minimum broken root tips, when they were pulled off the substrate, while more broken root tips were observed in those sown on SUv+B and S+B substrates, causing significantly more shorter intact roots.Broken root tip was closely related to substrate porosity.DBUv substrate had significantly higher porosity than SUv+B and S+B substrates.There were no significant differences in number of leaves and chlorophyll concentration index (CCI) among seedlings grown on all substrates.Better performance of seedlings grown on DBUv substrate was more pronounced on 21-day-old seedlings; therefore, it is recommended to farmers to use DBUv substrate and do transplanting of rice seedlings to paddy field at age of 21-day-old.
Institution: Sriwijaya University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2913291221