Seedling dipping as a method for phosphorus fertilization in parachute transplanted rice

The amount of P application recommended by the Department of Agriculture can be reduced by 25% by using the seedling soaking or dipping method without a significant yield loss compared to applying full amount of P by broadcasting.

For making the P slurry, TSP fertilizer was ground into dust and mixed with fertile paddy soil by adding water. Rice seedlings were grown on parachute tray containing paddy soils for 14 days before imposing treatments and transplanting. Fourteen days old seedling dip in P slurry for half hour before transplanting the field. This technology will reduce 25% DOA phosphorus fertilizer recommendation by 25%.