The Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Rice Nutrients and Soil Properties in Taungoo University Campus

Agricultural systems are a major factor affecting human health. Soil is one of the important factors for successful cropping in agriculture. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of control, organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties and rice nutrients at Taungoo University Farm. The experiment comprised three treatments viz., control (without fertilizer), organic farming (organic manures including paddy and black gram straw, cow dung) and conventional farming (chemical fertilizers including N, P, K). Soil samples were collected before and after paddy cultivation and analyzed to study the changes in soil properties as influenced by organic farming. Increase in physicochemical properties (moisture, organic carbon, humus), nutrients (N, P, K) and decrease in Fe, Mg contents were noticed in the soil under organic farming when compared to conventional and control farming after paddy cultivation. The nutritional values of the collected rice samples from organic, conventional and control farming such as moisture, ash, fat, fiber and protein were determined by AOAC methods. Mineral contents of rice samples such as K, Na, Ca, Mg and Fe were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A substantial increase in protein, fiber and decrease in fat were observed in the rice under organic farming. In the above context, it was observed that organic fertilizer caused better quality, safety and nutrition of rice as well as richer soil health.