Rice straw as a source of potassium for wetland rice cultivation

Rice crops uptake large amounts of potassium (K), which is mainly supplied from inorganic fertilizer. Alternate K sources are essential to preserve natural reserves and to recycle unused K containing stubbles. We have evaluated the performance of rice straw (RS) in farmers’ field following integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) for supplementing K requirement of rice and compared with agro-ecological zone (AEZ)-based chemical fertilizer and farmers’ practice in Tista Meander Floodplain soils of Bangladesh during 2013–2015. Application of RS @ 4.5 t ha−1 + IPNS-based fertilizer replaced full dose of chemical K fertilizer without significant reduction in grain yield of Boro rice. The K uptake with RS incorporation was similar to AEZ-based chemical fertilizer use. Considering soil health and environmental issue, RS + IPNS-based fertilizer management was the best option for growing wetland rice.