Rice responds to phosphorous and zinc. (2002)

Incitec Fertiliser

2002

This IREC Farmers Newsletter article presents the results undertaken by a CRC trial in the Riverina. The study indicated that only 20% of rice growers use P fertilizer in rice and there has been a negative balance of 19.8 kg P/ha/annum and 150 g Zn/ha/annum. In the 2000-10 rice season, Incitec Fertilisers in collaboration with Professor Graeme Batten and rice CRC, conducted 15 trials on growers properties in the Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas and the Murray and Lachlan valley’s to compare the efficiency of a range of starter fertilisers. The results indicated that tillering and yield were severely reduced where no phosphorous was applied. Zinc increased crop yields. It is believed that increases in yield and net return of $187/ha are available to rice growers applying phosphorous and zinc banded in the soil.