Effect of Urea, Urea-Plant Extracts on Growth and Yield of Bc15 Rice and Hn88 Corn

Abstract

    The use of plant extracts that inhibit soil urease activity to minimize of nitrogen losses is a potential strategy to reduce both production costs and environmental risks. This study evaluated the effects of crude plant extracts from Camellia sinensis and Hedyotis sp L. on nitrogen use efficiency of rice cv. BC15 and corn cv. HN88. For BC18 rice variety, there was no significant difference in stalk length, number of effective tillers, chlorophyll content, individual grain yield when applied with standard nitrogen fertilizer regime (100% urea) compared with 70% of standard level of urea combined with 3 ml crude plant extract as per 1 kg urea. For corn, there was no significant difference in days to emergence, days from sowing to tasseling and days from sowing to silking and yield when applied with standard

nitrogen fertilizer regime compared with application of 70% of standard nitrogen level in combination with crude extract product of Camellia sinensis and Hedyotis sp L. Overall, combining crude extract of Camellia sinensis and Hedyotis sp L. with urea improves nitrogen use efficiency.