Reduction of rice yield gap by fertilizer and new varieties in North Sumatera

Abstract

Abstract Variety and fertilizer are the important input that affects the increase in rice production. The research was carried out in the farmers’ land of Laras II Village, Siantar Subdistrict, Simalung District, North Sumatra DS 2019 (latitude: 2°058’52”N, longitude: 99°8’36”E, 249.5 m a.s.l.). The objective of the study is to determine the amount and time of fertilizer application in several rice varieties to minimize the gap of rice seed yields in North Sumatra. The treatment is a combination of fertilization treatments were rice consulting services (RCS), paddy soil test kits (STK), and farmers’ treatment (FFP) while varieties were Ciherang, Mekongga, Inpari 30, 32, 33, 36, 42, and 43 with four replications. The results showed that land suitability class that is very suitable and had the good climate to support rice production in North Sumatera. The RCS fertilization can be a tool to identify gaps and improve nutrient management on rice because the results of the study showed that the RCS fertilization can decreased the yield gap of 2.6 t ha−1 compared to farmers in the same season. This is supported by SPAD, biomass, particulate matter per panicle, filled grain, 1000 grains, and production.