Chitosan in Combination with Chemical Fertilizer on Agronomic Traits and Some Physiological Responses Relating to Yield Potential of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Chitosan can be used to stimulate growth and enhance yield in many crop species. This experiment was to study efficacy of chitosan as fertilizer supplement to stimulate growth and enhance rice yield. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with four treatments, i.e., Tr1; chitosan at the concentration of 80 mg L-1 in combination with mixed chemical fertilizer between urea (46-0-0) and 16-20-0 at the rate of 312.5 kg ha-1, Tr2; mixed chemical fertilizer between urea (46-0-0) and 16-20-0 at the rate of 312.5 kg ha-1, Tr3; chitosan spraying at the concentration of 80 mg L-1 and Tr4; no application of chitosan and mixed chemical fertilizer and five replications was performed. It was conducted in a greenhouse of Agricultural Technology and Agro-Industry Faculty, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnnaphumi, during April to August, 2011. The results revealed that application of chitosan in combination with mixed chemical fertilizer showed positive effects on leaf greenness, dry weight, yield and yield components of rice plants, however did not significantly differ from those of application of mixed chemical fertilizer alone. Application of chitosan alone and no application of both mixed chemical fertilizer and chitosan had poor effects on growth, yield and yield components of rice plants. From this study, it is suggested that rice yield can be enhanced by application of chitosan in combination with chemical fertilizer (as farmer practices).