AUTHORS:

Butoto Imani wa Rusaati, Jun-Won Kang, Patience Arusi Gendusa, Pacifique Bulakali Bisimwa, Joseph Lumande Kasali, Nkulu Kabange Rolly, Joowon Park, Esther Matendo Rehema, Cephas Masumbuko Ndabaga, Gentil Iragi Kaboyi, Orléanne Nangalire Nankaf

ABSTRACT:

Gradient concentrations of Tithonia diversifolia green leaves and phosphate rocks were used to
investigate their contributions as a fertilizer to the yield and quality improvement of a rainfed rice
cultivar. Six treatments were compared: (1) T0, no fertilization (control); (2) T1, 1.28 g of phosphate
rocks; (3) T2, 250 g of organic matter; (4) T3, 500 g of organic matter; (5) T4, 250 g of organic matter
+ 1.28 g of phosphate rocks; (6) T5, 500 g of organic matter + 1.28 g of phosphate rocks. The results
showed that the germination percentage recorded 15 days after sowing varied from 58 - 76%
between T0 and T5. The number of panicles ranged between 2 (T0) to 6.3 (T5). Moreover, the
recorded length of the panicles ranged between 7.5 (T1) to 15.8 cm (T2), and the number of grains
per panicle ranged between 25.5 (T1) to 273.5 (T3). The plant height was significantly increased
in the T5 (79.27 cm) group compared to the T1 (33.63 cm) and control treatment (T0) (40.08 cm)
groups. Although the plant height in the T2, T3, and T4 groups was slightly lower than the T5 group,
the difference was not statistically significant. The average of the grain number per plant was high
in the T3 (273.6 grains) group compared to the T1 and T0 (25.5 and 32.8 grains) groups, respectively.
These results suggest that the combination of T. diversifolia leaves and phosphate rocks as a natural
fertilizer would be beneficial when integrated into soil fertility management strategies and would
contribute to improving crop yield and quality.

KEYWORDS:

phosphate rocks of Kanzi, productivity, rice plant growth, Tithonia diversifolia

---

DOWNLOAD