10.57647/ijrowa-2026-17718

The Effect of Slow-Release Fertilizer (SRF) and Biofertilizer Application on Rice Growth and Yield in a Paddy Field

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  • Abdul Ghofar1,
  • Sih Parmiyatni*1,
  • Bedah Rupaedah2,
  • Mochamad Rosjidi1,
  • Anwar Mustafa1,
  • Akhmad Jufri3,
  • Bonny Agung Wahyuono1,
  • Umiati Umiati1,
  • Murbantan Tandirerung1,
  • Dadang Rosadi1,
  • Hens Saputra1,
  • Rudy Surya Sitorus1,
  • Suwardi Suwardi4,
  • Apong Sandrawati5,
  • Dyah T. Suryaningtyas4,
  1. Research Center for Process and Manufacturing Industry Technology, Research Organization for Energy and Manufacture, National Research and Innovation Agency, Puspiptek, Serpong, Indonesia
  2. Research Center for Applied Microbiology, Research Organization for Life Sciences and Environment, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia
  3. Research Center for Estate Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia
  4. Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  5. Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Padjajaran University, Bandung, Indonesia

Received: 2024-10-31

Revised: 2025-08-28

Accepted: 2025-10-04

Published in Issue 2026-06-30

Published Online: 2025-10-14

Copyright (c) -1 Abdul Ghofar, Sih Parmiyatni, Bedah Rupaedah, Mochamad Rosjidi, Anwar Mustafa, Akhmad Jufri, Bonny Agung Wahyuono, Umiati Umiati, Murbantan Tandirerung, Dadang Rosadi, Hens Saputra, Rudy Surya Sitorus, Suwardi Suwardi, Apong Sandrawati, Dyah T. Suryaningtyas (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ghofar, A., Parmiyatni, S., Rupaedah, B., Rosjidi, M., Mustafa, A., Jufri, A., Wahyuono, B. A., Umiati, U., Tandirerung, M., Rosadi, D., Saputra, H., Sitorus, R. S., Suwardi, S., Sandrawati, A., & Suryaningtyas, D. T. (2026). The Effect of Slow-Release Fertilizer (SRF) and Biofertilizer Application on Rice Growth and Yield in a Paddy Field. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-2026-17718
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Abstract

Purpose:  Paddy fields in Indonesia have experienced a stagnation in productivity, where increasing fertilizer applications no longer result in higher yields. To address this, various strategies, including ameliorants, have been employed to enhance rice production. This study investigates the potential of biofertilizers to improve the efficiency of inorganic fertilizers, specifically slow-release fertilizers (SRF). The aim is to evaluate the impact of biofertilizer application on rice production when combined with inorganic fertilizers.

Method:  The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications on 5m x 5m plots. The treatments included different combinations of inorganic fertilizers (NPK) and biofertilizers: P1 [SRF NPK 20-10-15 + Zn 0.2]; P2 [SRF NPK 20-10-15 + Cu 0.4 + Fe 0.4]; P3 [SRF NPK 15-15-10 + Cu 0.4 + Fe 0.4]; P4 [SRF NPK 15-15-10]; P5 [SRF NPK 15-15-10 + S 0.4 + Zn 0.2]; and P6-P10, which corresponded to P1-P5 combined with biofertilizer. In the biofertilizer treatments, the inorganic fertilizer dose was reduced to one-third of the original amount. Growth parameters and rice yield were measured.

Results:  The results showed that applying SRF at 60% of the standard fertilizer rate achieved comparable yields to full-dose conventional applications. Additionally, the integration of biofertilizers allowed for a 70% reduction in SRF usage without compromising rice production.

Conclusion: The study shows that combining biofertilizers with SRF allows for a 70% reduction in SRF usage while supporting rice yields, offering an effective and sustainable solution to enhance rice production.

Highlights

 ·   Slow-release fertilizers (SRF) and biofertilizers effectively maintain rice yield with reduced fertilizer applications.

·   Biofertilizers contribute to increased nutrient availability through microbial action, promoting sustainable soil health.

·   Rice yield was sustained with a 70% reduction in SRF when biofertilizer was applied, showcasing environmental and economic benefits.

·   Combining SRF and biofertilizer presents a viable alternative to conventional high-dose NPK applications in rice cultivation.

Keywords

  • Inorganic fertilizer,
  • SRF NPK,
  • Micronutrients,
  • Biofertilizer,
  • Rice productivity
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