Farmer extension trials using BioGro for rice production in the Mekong Delta

摘要

Farmer trials in three regions of the Mekong Delta were used to assess the economic effectiveness of using BioGro as a part-replacement of chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser for rice production. Nine split-plot trials, comparing the BioGro treatment with farmer practice, were conducted in each of two seasons-the dry season of 2005-06 and the wet season of 2006. In addition, two larger scale trials were conducted at research stations in Can Tho and Soc Trang in the dry season of 2006-07. The chemical N fertiliser application in the BioGro treatment was, in all cases, cut by at least 50% compared to farmer practice. Results showed that, for both seasons, there was no statistical difference in agronomic characteristics (e.g. plant height, % filled grain) between the two treatments; and yields were almost equivalent despite the much lower application of N fertiliser in the BioGro treatment. Financial analysis showed that the use of BioGro resulted in better economic effectiveness of rice production because of equivalent yields and the reduced costs of fertilisers and pesticides used in the BioGro treatment.