Soil Science Division - Phosphorous Fertilizer Application in Alternative Seasons in Rice Cultivation

• Apply P fertilizer at the rates recommended by the Department of Agriculture only in Yala season (at the rate of 55 kg/ha for irrigated paddy and 35 kg/ha for rainfed paddy)
• This can be practiced when soil P level is above 5 mg/kg. So, Check soil P levels using soil P maps before practicing

Benifits

• Saved 50% of the Phosphorous fertilizer (TSP) application in paddy cultivation
• Reduced soil and water pollution

Principal inventor

• N. Sirisena, Senior Soil Scientist, Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda

Co-inventor

• M.U.K. Rathnayaka, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda

Collaborators

• M.N.Wanninayake (AI), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
• A.C.A. Kumarasinghe (PA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda