NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM INTERACTIONS IN UPLAND RICE

Upland rice is an important crop in South America, including Brazil. Nutrient interactions are important in determining crop yields. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate interaction among nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in upland rice production. The treatments applied to upland rice grown on an Oxisol were three levels of N (N-0, N-150 and N-300 mg kg(-1)), three levels of P (P-0, P-100 and P-200 mg kg(-1)) and three levels of K (K-0, K-100 and K-200 mg kg(-1)). These treatments were tested in a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement. Grain yield, shoot dry weight, plant height, root dry weight, maximum root length, panicle number, 1000-grain weight, and grain harvest index were significantly influenced by N, P, and K treatments. The treatment that did not receive P fertilization did not produce panicle or grain. Hence, P was most yield-limiting nutrient compared to two other nutrients. At the N0P0K0 treatment, rice did not produce grains, indicating severe deficiency of these nutrients in Brazilian Oxisols. Maximum grain yield was obtained with the N300P200K200 treatment. Grain yield had significant positive association with plant height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, maximum root length, 1000-grain weight, panicle number, and grain harvest index. Among these growth and yield components, shoot dry weight had the highest positive association with grain yield and root length minimum positive association with grain yield. Hence, adopting adequate soil and crop management practices can improve growth and yield components and increase grain yield of upland rice.