Effect of different kinds of environmental friendly materials on the growth of rice [Oryza sativa]

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of environmentally friendly materials on different treatments on paddy soil and loess soil 'Hwangto' on the growth characteristics and yield in rice. Some physico-chemical soil properties investigated showed significant values when paddy soil was treated with mixture of charcoal with pyroligneous acid (MCPA), charcoal and pyroligneous acid than in values treated with just paddy soil. Organic matter showed a high figure especially in paddy soil mixed with MCPA. Available phosphorous showed high values in charcoal and MCPA group indicating that there was some soil improvement in that respect. EC was the lowest in loess soil 'Hawngto'. Mg content was higher as compared to the rest of the paddy soil treatments. Top dry weight at 30 days after transplanting was high with paddy soil mixed with charcoal and MCPA. Root activity was either similar or higher in the various treatments. Plant height was restrained in the early growth but was recovered by the maximum tillering stage in loess soil 'Hwangto' treatment. Similarly, chlorophyll content at the maximum tillering stage was highest in loess soil 'Hwangto' treatment. Yield components responded differently to the treatments showing the highest numbers of tillers, spikelets and panicles with paddy soil mixed with charcoal, PA and MCPA, respectively. These results indicate that these environmentally friendly materials could contribute to improve plant growth and yield in rice.