EDUCATUM JSMT Volume 11 Number 2 (2024)

ISSN 2289-7070 / e-ISSN 2462-2451(34-41)

https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/EJSMT/index

Foliar Fertilization in Hybrid Rice

Mark -Jhon R. Prestoza*, Jemimah Aira D. Gaspar

& Angelo Ted Markley C. Pedro

Quirino National High School, Schools Division Office of Isabela, Philippines

*Correspondence: markjohn.prestoza@deped.gov.ph

Received: 26 March 2024; Accepted: 22 July 2024; Published: 13 August 2024

To cite this article (APA): Prestoza, M. J. R., Gaspar, J. A. D., & C. Pedro, A. T. M. (2024). Foliar Fertilization in
Hybrid Rice. EDUCATUM Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology, 11(2), 34–41.
https://doi.org/10.37134/ejsmt.vol11.2.4.2024

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.37134/ejsmt.vol11.2.4.2024

Abstract
This study examines the efficacy of commercially available fertilizers and organic foliar fertilizers in enhancing the
harvest of SL-8H hybrid rice. It aims to address several key questions related to the effects of these fertilizers on
various parameters, such as yield, plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, quality based on farmers' preferences,
and economic analysis. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used to collect data on the effectiveness of
fertilizers in different garden plots. SL-8H rice yield and quality were significantly influenced by both commercial and
organic foliar fertilizers. In terms of yield, plant height, number of tillers, and panicle length, organic foliar fertilizers,
particularly those derived from Malunggay leaves and molasses, as well as banana peels and molasses, demonstrate
comparable or even superior performance compared to commercial fertilizers. Additionally, organic foliar fertilizers
provide economic advantages, offering lower production costs and higher returns on investment.
For SL-8H rice cultivation, organic foliar fertilizers appear to offer a viable alternative to conventional
commercial fertilizers. Although commercial fertilizers perform slightly better, their higher costs do not justify the
marginal improvement in yield and quality they provide. Furthermore, the study highlights the apprehensions among
farmers concerning foliar fertilizers due to health concerns. Promoting and adopting organic foliar fertilizers would
address these concerns while providing comparable benefits in terms of crop yield and economic viability. Thus,
adopting organic foliar fertilizers could improve the yield of SL-8H rice and contribute to sustainable farming
practices.

Keywords: Efficacy, fertilizers, harvest, yield, sustainability

INTRODUCTION

Foliar fertilization in hybrid rice has attracted significant attention due to its potential to enhance nutrient
uptake, improve crop yield, and quality. Studies have demonstrated that foliar application of micronutrients
such as zinc, selenium, and iron can notably increase their concentration in rice grains, thereby enhancing
bioavailability and nutritional quality [1] [2] [3]. Additionally, research has shown that foliar fertilization
positively influences the yield, composition, and oxidative biomarkers in rice, indicating its potential to
enhance both the quantity and quality aspects of rice production [4].
Moreover, evidence suggests that foliar fertilization can play a vital role in biofortification
initiatives, such as selenium biofortification of rice, which can result in the development of functional rice
products with optimal selenium concentrations for human health [3] [5]. Furthermore, foliar fertilization
has been associated with increased heavy metal accumulation in rice cultivars, highlighting its potential role
in managing heavy metal stress in rice cultivation [6].

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Foliar Fertilization in Hybrid Rice

Interestingly, studies have indicated that hybrid rice varieties may not necessarily require higher
nitrogen fertilization compared to inbred varieties to achieve higher yields, suggesting that the yield
advantage of hybrid rice is not solely dependent on nitrogen fertilization under certain soil conditions [7]
[8]. This emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative fertilization strategies like foliar application to
optimize hybrid rice production. In conclusion, foliar fertilization in hybrid rice offers a promising approach
to enhancing nutrient uptake, improving yield and quality, and addressing specific nutritional deficiencies.
By harnessing the benefits of foliar fertilization with micronutrients and other essential elements, hybrid
rice cultivation can be further refined to meet the requirements for sustainable and nutritious rice production.
Thus, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of commercial fertilizers and organic foliar fertilizers
in enhancing the yield, agronomic parameters, and quality of SL-8H hybrid rice. Specifically, the study
aims to compare the effects of these fertilizers on key variables such as yield, plant height, number of tillers,
and panicle length, as well as evaluating the quality of rice harvests based on farmers' preferences. The
study will also conduct an economic analysis to determine whether organic foliar fertilizers are more cost-
effective than commercial ones. This research seeks to recommend organic foliar fertilizers as a sustainable
and effective means of improving SL-8H rice harvests, addressing concerns among farmers about their
health and the environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design. Thus, the researchers tested and
observed the study on different garden plots to improve the study and develop a beneficial organic fertilizer
to help the SL-8H farmers grow better quality and more crops.
The study participants include farmers cultivating SL-8H hybrid rice, agricultural experts, or
extension workers knowledgeable about rice cultivation, and suppliers or manufacturers of commercial
fertilizers and organic foliar fertilizers. Researchers conducting the study and potential stakeholders, such
as government agencies or agricultural organizations, may also be considered participants, particularly if
they provide guidance, resources, or support.
Research gathering procedures outlined in this study include several key steps designed to identify
the effects of organic foliar fertilizers on SL-8H rice variance cultivated by farmers in Quirino, Isabela.
Initially, the researchers coordinated with the Local Government Units and Municipal Agriculturists to
gather information on the number of farmers cultivating SL-8H rice varieties. Following this, participants
were selected based on specific criteria, including experience with SL-8H rice farming and suitability for
data collection. A foliar fertilizer containing malunggay leaves, banana peels, and molasses was then
prepared by the researchers following the preparation of the necessary materials and plots for planting SL-
8H rice. The SL-8H rice variance was observed for growth, quality, and weight following the application
of organic fertilizer. To ensure confidentiality and preservation for future analysis, information concerning
harvest, weight, and quality of the harvest was collected. Additionally, a cost and return analysis was
conducted to evaluate the study's economic feasibility.
The method used in this study was an experimental approach in which three different concoctions
of organic foliar fertilizer were prepared for the purpose of assessing their effects on the growth of SL-8H
rice. Observations and data collection from selected participants provided the basis for comparison of
treatments. In terms of harvest, weight, and quality, organic foliar fertilizer was evaluated using the Likert
Scale. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques, including the t-test and ANOVA, to determine
the variations and effect sizes of organic foliar fertilizer in comparison to commercial fertilizer.
Furthermore, the study provided a cost estimate and a list of materials used in the experiment, ensuring
transparency and reproducibility.

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EDUCATUM JSMT Volume 11 Number 2 (2024)
ISSN 2289-7070 / e-ISSN 2462-2451(34-41)
https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/EJSMT/index

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Comparative Analysis of Organic and Commercial Foliar Fertilizers along with Farmer's
Practice on Rice Cultivation Parameters

Based on the analysis of organic foliar fertilizers, treatments combining malunggay leaves and molasses,
banana peels and molasses, and combinations thereof, consistently yielded "Excellent" qualitative results.
It was determined that these treatments improved soil health and crop yields in rice cultivation by
demonstrating mean values ranging from 3.67 to 3.93. Similarly, commercial foliar fertilizers showed
promising results, with both treatments exhibiting an "Excellent" qualitative description in most parameters,
although different growth parameters indicated varying degrees of effectiveness. Similarly, Farmer's
Practice demonstrated positive results, receiving a "Good" rating across all parameters, highlighting its
potential in sustainable agriculture. To enhance agricultural productivity and soil health, it is imperative that
diverse fertilization methods be explored.

Table 1. Effects of Organic Foliar Fertilizers on its; Yields of greatest harvest, Quality based in farmers preference,
Plant height, Number of tillers, and Panicle length

Parameter Mean Qualitative Description

Yields of greatest harvest 3.77 - 3.93 Excellent
Weight 3.90 - 3.93 Excellent
Quality based on farmer’s
3.73 - 3.83 Excellent
preference
Plant Height 3.83 - 3.97 Excellent
Number of Tillers 3.70 - 3.77 Excellent
Panicle Length 3.67 - 3.77 Excellent

Table 2. Effects of Commercial Foliar Fertilizers on its; Yields of greatest harvest, Quality based in farmers
preference, Plant height, Number of tillers, and Panicle length

Commercial Foliar
Parameter Commercial Foliar Fertilizer 2
Fertilizer 1
Yields of greatest harvest 3.60 3.77
Weight 3.60 3.67
Quality based on farmer’s
3.63 3.67
preference
Plant Height 3.77 3.87
Number of Tillers 3.50 3.67
Panicle Length 3.53 (Good) 3.53 (Excellent)

Table 3. Effects of Farmer’s Practice on its; Yields of greatest harvest, Weight, Quality (based in farmers
preference), Plant height, Number of tillers, and Panicle length

Parameter Mean Qualitative Description

Yields of greatest harvest 3.40 Good
Weight 3.33 Good
Quality based on farmer’s
3.27 Good
preference
Plant Height 3.33 Good
Number of Tillers 3.23 Good
Panicle Length 3.27 Good

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Foliar Fertilization in Hybrid Rice

Implications for Rice Cultivation Parameters

A comparative analysis of organic and commercial foliar fertilizers, along with farmer's practices, revealed
several important conclusions. Several organic foliar fertilizers, including those containing malunggay
leaves and molasses or banana peels and molasses, consistently produced excellent qualitative results across
a range of parameters. The results indicated that these treatments improved not only soil health, but also
crop yields significantly, as indicated by mean values ranging from 3.67 to 3.93. In addition, commercial
foliar fertilizers showed promising results, with both treatments receiving excellent qualitative descriptions
in most parameters. Despite this, different growth parameters showed varying degrees of effectiveness,
suggesting that fertilizer selection may have a different impact on specific aspects of rice cultivation.
Further, Farmer’s Practice achieved a "Good" rating across all parameters, which underscores its potential
contribution to sustainable agriculture. As a result of the findings, it is important to explore diverse
fertilization methods in order to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity, emphasizing the
importance of tailoring approaches to rice cultivation practices that take into account both effectiveness and
sustainability.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Commercial and Organic Foliar Fertilizers on Rice Growth
Parameters
There was a comprehensive analysis of the effects of commercial and organic foliar fertilizers on various
rice growth parameters in the study. A statistical analysis revealed that plant height at maturity and number
of tillers per hill were significantly affected, but panicle length and projected yield per hectare were not
significantly affected. Malunggay leaves and molasses, together with commercial foliar fertilizers 1, 2 and
3, showed the greatest plant height at maturity and the highest number of tillers per hill, indicating their
effectiveness in promoting robust growth. Contrary to the other treatments, Farmer's Practice resulted in
smaller plant heights and fewer tillers. As a result of these findings, it is imperative that appropriate
fertilization methods are selected to optimize rice cultivation practices, with further research required to
investigate the long-term effects on yield and quality.

Table 4. Significant effect of commercial fertilizer and organic foliar fertilizer in

terms of projected yield per hectare (tons/ha)

Source SS df MS F p-value
Blocks 2.170 2 1.0850 0.85 .4556
Treatments 1.032 5 0.2063 0.16 .9710
Error 12.743 10 1.2753
Total 15.945 17
ns- not significant

Table 5. Significant effect of commercial fertilizer and organic foliar

fertilizer in terms of plant height at maturity (cm)

Source SS df MS F 5% 1%
Blocks 3.510 2 1.7550 1.06
Treatments 835.347 5 167.0693 100.75
Error 16.583 10 1.6583
Total 855.440 17
*significant at 5%

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EDUCATUM JSMT Volume 11 Number 2 (2024)
ISSN 2289-7070 / e-ISSN 2462-2451(34-41)
https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/EJSMT/index

Table 6. Significant effect of commercial fertilizer and organic foliar fertilizer in

terms of number of tillers per hill at maturity

Source SS df MS F 5% 1%
Blocks 2.33 2 1.167 1.21
Treatments 68.50 5 13.700 14.17
Error 9.67 10 0.967
Total 80.50 17

Table 7. Significant effect of commercial fertilizer and organic foliar

fertilizer in terms of panicle length (cm)

Source SS df MS F 5% 1%
Blocks 1.541 2 0.7706 0.73
Treatments 8.171 5 1.6342 1.55
Error 10.552 10 1.0552
Total 20.264 17
ns- not significant

Table 8. Mean of the significant effect of commercial fertilizer and organic foliar fertilizer

Mean of plant Mean of No. Mean length of Projected yields

Treatment
height (cm) of tillers panicles (cm) (tons)
Malunggay leaves and
111.2 10.0 20.0 6.0
molasses
Ripe Banana peels and
109.0 10.0 19.0 5.8
molasses
Malunggay leaves and
Ripe Banana peels and 110.9 9.0 19.0 6.3
molasses
Commercial Fertilizer
96.6 7.0 20.0 6.0
1
Commercial fertilizer
105.4 5.0 19.0 5.9
2
Farmer’s Practice 94.1 6.0 18.0 5.5
Result * * ns ns
*- significant
ns- not significant

Impact of Commercial and Organic Foliar Fertilizers on Rice Growth Parameters for Optimal
Cultivation Practices

To optimize rice cultivation practices, a comparison of the effects of commercial and organic foliar
fertilizers on rice growth parameters was conducted. Based on the results of the study, plant height at
maturity and the number of tillers per hill were significantly influenced by fertilization methods employed,
but panicle length and projected yield per hectare were not significantly affected. As evidenced by their
greater plant height and higher number of tillers per hill, treatments involving Malunggay leaves and
molasses, as well as certain commercial foliar fertilizers, demonstrated superior performance in promoting
robust growth. Contrary to other treatments, Farmer's Practice showed smaller plant heights and fewer
tillers. As a result of these findings, it is important to carefully select fertilization methods to optimize rice
cultivation results.

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Foliar Fertilization in Hybrid Rice

Comparative Analysis of Organic and Commercial Foliar Fertilizers for Hybrid Rice Production

It was found that organic fertilizers, specifically Malunggay leaves and molasses and Ripe Banana peels
and molasses, are the most cost-effective method of fertilizing hybrid rice per hectare. Compared to
commercial fertilizer 1, organic fertilizers have lower production costs, higher gross and net benefits, and a
higher return on investment. The cost-effectiveness of organic foliar fertilizers makes them a viable
alternative for farmers, although commercial fertilizer 1 yields slightly better results in terms of plant height,
tillers, length, projected yields, and quality. Moreover, the study noted farmers' reluctance to use foliar
fertilizers due to concerns about possible health effects. Thus, organic foliar fertilizers provide a sustainable
solution for rice cultivation that addresses both economic and health-related concerns.

Table 9. Cost and Return Analysis of hybrid rice per hectare

Malunggay Ripe Malunggay Commercial Commercial Farmer’s

leaves and Banana leaves and Fertilizer 1 Fertilizer 2 Practice
molasses peels and Ripe Banana (1kg) (30g)
molasses peels and
molasses
Total cost of 66,570 66, 271 66, 521 67, 169 67, 570 63, 923
production
Gross 111,000 107, 300 109, 150 116,550 111,000 101, 750
Benefit
Net Benefit 44, 430 41,029 42,630 49, 382 43,830 37,828
ROI 66.7 61.1 64.1 73.5 65.3 59.2

Cost Effectiveness

Several important findings were revealed from the comparative analysis of organic and commercial foliar
fertilizers for hybrid rice production. The most cost-effective method for fertilizing hybrid rice per hectare
can be achieved by using organic fertilizers, especially Malunggay leaves and molasses and Ripe Banana
peels and molasses. Comparatively to commercial fertilizer 1, they had lower production costs, higher gross
and net benefits, and a higher return on investment. Due to these cost-effective advantages, organic foliar
fertilizers are an attractive and viable alternative for farmers seeking to optimize their cultivation practices
while minimizing their costs. Despite the economic benefits of organic fertilizers, commercial fertilizer 1
yielded slightly better results in terms of various growth parameters, such as plant height, number of tillers,
panicle length, projected yields, and quality. In conclusion, organic fertilizers may be cost-effective, but
they may not always deliver the same level of performance as certain commercial alternatives. However,
the differences in performance between organic and commercial fertilizers were relatively small, suggesting
that organic fertilizers can still provide satisfactory results for rice farming.
Further, the study identified a significant barrier to the adoption of foliar fertilizers among farmers
- concerns about their potential health effects. Foliar fertilizer usage is reluctant among farmers, which
highlights the importance of evaluating not only their economic and agronomic benefits, but also their
broader implications, including their impact on human health and the environment. As a result, organic
foliar fertilizers provide a viable solution for both economic and health-related concerns, allowing farmers
to cultivate rice in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
As a result, although commercial fertilizer 1 may perform better in certain growth parameters,
organic foliar fertilizers are more cost-effective and sustainable for hybrid rice production. In order to ensure
long-term sustainability in rice production, farmers need to balance economic considerations with
environmental and health factors.

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EDUCATUM JSMT Volume 11 Number 2 (2024)
ISSN 2289-7070 / e-ISSN 2462-2451(34-41)
https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/EJSMT/index

Figure 1. Significant development of organic foliar fertilizer

CONCLUSION

The comparative analysis of organic and commercial foliar fertilizers, along with farmer's practice, unveiled
valuable insights into their effects on rice cultivation parameters. Organic foliar fertilizers, particularly those
containing malunggay leaves and molasses or banana peels and molasses, consistently demonstrated
"Excellent" qualitative results across various parameters. These treatments not only improved soil health
but also significantly enhanced crop yields. Similarly, commercial foliar fertilizers exhibited promising
results, with both treatments garnering an "Excellent" qualitative description in most parameters. However,
differences in effectiveness were observed across different growth parameters, suggesting the importance
of tailored fertilization methods for optimizing rice cultivation practices. Additionally, Farmer's Practice
showcased positive results, underscoring its potential contribution to sustainable agriculture.
The study's findings emphasize the significance of selecting appropriate fertilization methods to
optimize rice cultivation practices. While organic and commercial foliar fertilizers both offer promising
benefits, it is essential to consider their varying impacts on specific growth parameters. Organic foliar
fertilizers, with their consistent excellent performance and potential cost-effectiveness, emerge as an
attractive option for farmers. However, commercial foliar fertilizers may still yield slightly better results in
certain parameters. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of addressing farmers' concerns about
the potential health effects of foliar fertilizers. Overall, a balanced approach that considers both
effectiveness and sustainability is crucial for achieving optimal results in rice cultivation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Quirino National High School for providing the facilities
and resources necessary for this study. A special thanks is due to the Local Government Unit (LGU) for its
invaluable support and assistance throughout the course of this research. Furthermore, we are grateful to the
Department of Agriculture for its support and funding, which greatly contributed to the success of this study.
This research endeavor would not have been possible without their collaboration and assistance.

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Foliar Fertilization in Hybrid Rice

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