EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RATE OF VERMICOMPOST ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND YIELD OF RICE (ORYZA SATIVA)

The use of organic fertilizers is a good alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer and solutions for maintaining soil fertility and achieving sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of vermicompost organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of rice MR219. The experimental treatments were arranged in Complete Ran domized Design including four vermicompost application level. The treatments included four levels of vermicompost organic fertilizer (30%, 50%, 70% and 100%) and four levels of urea chemical fertilizer (100%, 30%, 50 and 70%). At time vegetative and physi ological maturity, plant height, number of leaves, number of tiller, fresh and dry weight and also yield were measured. The results indicated that the combined application of NPK fertilizer and organic fertilizer vermicompost had significant effects on gro wth parameter for plant height, number of leaves, number of tiller, fresh and dry weight. The plant applied with 70% vermicompost and 30% NPK shows the higher means for plant height and number of leaves. The plant applied with 50% vermicompost and 50% NP K shows higher means number of tiller, fresh weight and dry weight than other treatment. The maximum mean of yield recorded by the treatment of 70% vermicompost and 30% NPK fertilizer, but there is no significant difference between the treatment. Thus it c an be concluded that the application of vermicompost organic fertilizer, can be reduced chemical fertilizer urea up to 70 percent .