Urea Containing Coated Cu and Zn: A Suitable Fertilizer for Healthier Growth of Rice and N-Uptake

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiency is predominant globallyhence a hurdle to achieve healthy crop growth and ultimately the yield.Malaysian acidic soils are also in same occurrence of micronutrientinsufficiency because of subsidized (macronutrients) fertilizer performs.Repetitive fertilizer practices without retrieving nutrient contents in thesoil may result on the growth and quality of rice. In this regard a pot experimentwas organized on two soils; Kedah and Kelantan the main rice growing areas ofMalaysia. The aim was to evaluate the effects of Cu and Zn coated urea on ricegrowth and N-uptake. Copper (at the rate of 3 & 5 kg ha-1) Zn(at the rate of 7 & 10 kg ha-1) as single and combined together,wrapped with coated and un-coated urea along with the suggested doses of NPK;140, 70 and 70 kg ha-1 respectively were applied. Application ofcoated urea in combination of Cu and Zn had positive effect on all the growthparameters, chlorophyll contents and N-efficiency in acidic soils. Meancomparison between treatments showed, the significant effect of combined (Cuand Zn) coated urea as compared to individual surface application of Cu and Zn.  The growth parameters increment was recordedby 30-40% over control. Furthermore, the N, Cu and Zn contents in the soilsalong with chlorophyll contents in rice plants were also increasedsignificantly (p<0.05) in combined Cu and Zn coated urea applied soils overcontrol. This increase in growth parameters is a confirmation of Cu and Zncoated urea application for better rice yield.