INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BUSINESS, SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

ISSN: 2309-7892, Page: 145-149, Volume 01, Issue 03, April-June 2014

Review Paper
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COWDUNG ON GROWTH, YIELD AND
NUTRIENT CONTENT OF BRRI dhan33

M. Oahiduzzaman1, S.C. Shovon2, A. Mahjuba2, H. Mehraj3 and AFM Jamal Uddin3*1

M. Oahiduzzaman, S.C. Shovon, A. Mahjuba, H. Mehraj and AFM Jamal Uddin (2014). Effect of Different Levels
of Cowdung on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of BRRI dhan33. Int. J. Bus., Soc. and Sci. Res. 01(03): 145-
149. Retrieve from http://www.ijbssr.com/currentissueview/14013025
Received Date: 20/03/2014 Acceptance Date: 08/05/2014 Published Date: 16/06/2014

Abstract
The experiment was conducted at the Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University,
Bangladesh during the period from June to November 2012 to study the effect of
cowdung on yield and nutrient content of transplanted aman rice (BRRI dhan33). The
experiment consisted 4 levels of cowdung, viz., C0: 0 ton cowdung ha-1 (control), C1:
4.5 ton cowdung ha-1, C2: 5.0 ton cowdung ha-1 and C3: 5.5 ton cowdung ha-1 following
Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Tallest plant (88.6 cm at
harvest), maximum number of effective tillers hill-1 (13.4), maximum grain yield ha-1
(5.2 ton) was found from C3 while minimum from C0. On the other hand, maximum N
(1.39%), P (0.29%), K (0.65%), S (0.13%) and Zn (0.026%) content in grain was
found from C3 which was statistically similar with the C2 whereas minimum from C0.
Key words: BRRI dhan-33, cowdung, yield and nutrient content
Introduction
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple of Bangladeshi people. Depleted soil fertility is a major constrain to
higher crop production in Bangladesh. The increasing land use intensity has resulted in a great
exhaustion of nutrient in soils and Bangladeshi farmers on an average 102 kg nutrients ha-1 annually (70
kg N + 24 kg P + 6 kg K + 2 kg S and Zn) while the crop removal is about 200 kg ha-1 (Islam et al.,
1994). In Bangladesh, most of the cultivated soils have less then 1.5% organic matter while a good
agricultural soil should contain at least 2% organic matter (Ali, 1994). Moreover, organic matter content
of soil is declining due to intensive cropping and use of excess chemical fertilizers with little or no
addition of organic manure. Evidences from different Agro- Ecological Zone of the country have shown
a decrease in the content of organic matter by the range of 15 to 30% over the last 20 years (Miah, 1994).
Cowdung can supply a good amount of plant nutrients which can contribute to crop yields. Rapid
mineralization of soil organic matter occurs due to humid tropic climatic conditions of Bangladesh.
Mineralization and immobilization are biochemical in nature that mediated by the activities of
microorganisms. The rate and extent of mineralization determines crop availability of nutrients. The
transformation of N, P and S in soil depends on the quality and quantity of organic matter and cowdung
is well known organic manure in our country. Soil organic matter improves the physicochemical
properties of the soil and ultimately promotes crop production. More recently, attention is focused on the
global environmental problems; utilization of organic manures as the most effective measure for the
purpose. Application of cowdung needs to be applied for the improvement of soil physical properties and
supply of essential plant nutrients for higher yield, necessary for BRRI dha-33 (Reganold et al., 1990).
Under this circumstance the present research work has been taken with to find out the effects of cowdung
on yield and N, P, K, S and Zn of BRRI dhan33.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was conducted at the Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
during the period from June to November 2012 to study the effect of zinc on growth, yield and nutrient
content of transplanted (T.) aman rice BRRI dhan33. The experiment consisted four levels of cowdung
viz. C0: 0 ton cowdung ha-1 (Control), C1: 4.5 ton cowdung ha-1, C2: 5.0 ton cowdung ha-1, C3: 5.0 ton
cowdung ha-1 followed by Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications, where the
experimental area was divided into three blocks representing the replications to reduce soil heterogenetic
effects. The unit plot size was 3.0 m 2.0 m and was separated from each other by 0.5 m ails. The

*Corresponding Author: jamal4@yahoo.com

1
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
2
Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
3
Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Oahiduzzaman et al. 146

distance maintained between two blocks and two plots were 1.0 m and 0.5 m respectively. Different
doses of cowdung were applied during final land preparation.
Fertilizers and manure application
Application (%)
Fertilizers Dose 1st installment 2nd installment (panicle
Basal
(tillering stage) initiation stages)
Urea 150 kgha-1 33.33 33.33 33.33
TSP 120 kgha-1 100 -- --
MP 120 kgha-1 100 -- --
Gypsum 100 kgha-1 100
Zinc Sulphate 5 kgha-1 100 -- --
Borax 10 kgha-1 100 -- --
Source: BRRI, 2011 (Adunik Dhaner Chash)
Chemical compositions of cowdung (dry basis)
Sources of organic Nutrient content
manure C (%) N (%) P (%) K (%) S (%) C:N
Cowdung 3.6 1.48 0.45 0.53 0.21 2.4
Thirty days old seedlings of BRRI dhan33 were carefully uprooted and transplanted on 03 July, 2012 in
well puddled plot. Three seedlings hill-1 were used following a spacing of 20 cm 20 cm. After one
week of transplanting all plots were checked for any missing hill, which was filled up with extra
seedlings whenever required. Leaf roller (Chaphalocrosis medinalis) was observed in the field and used
Malathion @ 1.12 L ha-1 to control. The crop was harvested at full maturity when 80-90% of the grains
were turned into straw colored. The crop was cut at the ground level and plot wise crop was bundled
separately and brought to the threshing floor. Data were collected on plant height, effective tillers hill-1,
non-effective tillers hill-1, total tillers hill-1, filled grains panicle-1, unfilled grains panicle-1, total grains
panicle-1, weight of 1000 seeds, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, harvest index also content of N,
P, K, S, Zn on grain samples. Data were recorded as the average of 10 plants selected at random from the
inner rows of each plot. Grains and straw obtained from each unit plot were sun-dried and weighed
carefully. The dry weight of grains and straw of central 1 m2 area and five sample plants were added to
the respective unit plot yield to record the final grain yield plot-1 and finally converted to ton hectare-1
(tha-1). The summation of grain and straw yield were considered as biological yield.
Harvest index was calculated from the grain and straw yield of rice for each plot and expressed in
percentage.
Economic yield (grain weight)
HI = 100
Biological yield (total dry weight)
Chemical analysis of grain samples
Determination of N: 0.2 g oven dry ground sample were taken in a micro Kjeldahl flask. 1.1 g catalyst
mixture (K2SO4: CuSO4. 5H2O: Se in the ratio of 100: 10: 1), and 5 ml conc. H2SO4 were added. The
flasks were heating at 1200C and added 2.5 ml 30% H2O2 then heated was continued at 1800C until the
digests became clear and colorless. After cooling, the content was taken into a 100 ml volumetric flask
and the volume was made up to the mark with de-ionized water. A reagent blank was prepared in a
similar manner. Nitrogen in the digest was estimated by distilling the digest with 10 N NaOH followed
by titration of the distillate trapped in H3BO3 with indicator solution and titrated with 0.01N H2SO4.
Digestion of grain samples with nitric-perchloric acid for P, K, S and Zn determination: A sub sample
weighing 0.5 g was transferred into a dry, clean 100 ml digestion vessel. Ten ml of di-acid (HNO3:
HClO4 in the ratio 2:1) mixture was added to the flask. After leaving for a while, the flasks were heated
at a temperature slowly raised to 2000C. Heating were stopped when the dense white fumes of HClO4
occurred. The content of the flask were boiled until they were became clean and colorless. After cooling,
the content was taken into a 100 ml volumetric flask and the volume was made up to the mark with de-
ionized water. P, K, S and Zn were determined from this digest.
Determination of P: Phosphorus in the digest was determined by using 1 ml for grain sample from 100
ml extract was then determined by developing blue color with reduction of phosphomolybdate complex
using ascorbic acid and the color intensity were measured colorimetrically at 660 nm wavelength and
readings were calibrated with the standard P curve (Page et al., 1982).

http://www.ijbssr.com
Effect of Cowdung on BRRI dhan33 147

Determination of K: Five ml of digest sample for the grain were taken and diluted 50 ml volume to make
desired concentration so that the emission of K of sample were measured within the range of standard
solutions. The K was determined by flame photometer.
Determination of S: Sulphur content was determined from the digest of the grain samples (with BaCl2
solution as described by Page et al., 1982. The digested S was determined by developing turbidity by
adding BaCl2 seed solution. The intensity of turbidity was measured by spectrophotometer at 420 nm
wavelengths (Hunter, 1984).
Determination of Zinc: Zinc content was determined from the digest of the grain samples (with BaCl2
solution as described by Page et al., 1982. The digested Zn was determined by developing turbidity by
adding BaCl2 seed solution. The intensity of turbidity was measured by spectrophotometer at 420 nm
wavelengths (Hunter, 1984).
Collected data were statistically analyzed using MSTAT-C Computer Package Program. The
significance of the differences among the treatment means were estimated by the Duncans Multiple
Range Test (DMRT) at 1% level of probability (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).
Results and Discussion
Plant height: The plant height of BRRI dhan-33varied significantly to different levels of cowdung at
different DAT (days after transplanting) and harvest. Tallest plant was found from C3 (88.6 cm) which
was statistically identical with C2 (88.1 cm) whereas shortest fro C0 (79.7 cm) at harvest (Fig. 1). It was
found that cowdung manure can supply a good amount of plant nutrients and thus can contribute to plant
growth (Saha et al., 2007).
Number of effective tillers hill-1: Significant variation was found in number of effective tillers hill-1 of
BRRI dhan33 for different levels of cowdung. Maximum number of effective tillers hill-1 was found from
C3 (13.4) which was statistically identical with C2 (13.1) while minimum from C0 (10.2) (Table 1).
Active tiller production was significantly increased as a result of the application cowdung at the rate of 5
t ha-1 (Saha et al., 2007).
Number of non-effective tillers hill-1: Number of non-effective tillers hill-1 of BRRI dhan33 varied
significantly for different levels of cowdung. Maximum number of non-effective tillers hill-1 was found
from C0 (3.8) while minimum from C3 and C2 (2.4) (Table 1). Similar results also reported by Ali et al.
(2003).
Number of total tillers hill-1: Different levels of cowdung showed significant variation for number of
total tillers hill-1 of BRRI dhan-33. Maximum number of total tillers hill-1 was found from C3 (15.8)
which was statistically identical with C2 (15.5) and C1 (15.1), whereas minimum from C0 (14.0) (Table
1). Kant and Kumar (1994) reported that maximum level of FYM (30 t ha-1) the increase of 48% tillers
hill-1.
Length of panicle: Length of panicle of BRRI dhan33 showed significant differences among different
levels of cowdung. Longest panicle was found from C3 (22.1 cm) which was statistically similar with C2
(21.6 cm) and C1 (21.0 cm) whereas shortest from C0 (20.1 cm). Panicle size showed positive correlation
with the increase in ZnSO4 levels from 2.5 to 10 kg ha-1 (Cheema et al., 2006).
Weight of 1000-grain: Weight of 1000-grain of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum weight of 1000-grain was found from C3 (21.9 g) which was statistically similar
with C2 (21.6 g) whereas minimum from C0 (20.2 g) (Table 1). Maximum level of FYM (30 t ha-1) the
4.5% weights of 1000 grains over control (Kant and Kumar, 1994).
Number of filled grains panicle-1: Number of filled grains panicle-1 of BRRI dhan33 showed significant
variation among the different levels of cowdung. Maximum number of filled grains panicle-1 was found
from C3 (83.7) which was statistically identical with C2 (83.3) while minimum from C0 (72.9) (Table 2).
Maximum level of FYM (30 t ha-1) increase of 14% number of grain panicle-1 over control (Kant and
Kumar, 1994).
Number of unfilled grains panicle-1: Number of unfilled grains panicle-1 of BRRI dhan33 varied
significantly among different levels of cowdung. Maximum number of unfilled grains panicle-1 was
observed from C0 (10.2) which was statistically similar with C1 (9.6) whereas minimum from C3 (8.0)
which was statistically similar C2 (8.4) (Table 2).
Number of total grains panicle-1: Number of total grains panicle-1 of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly
to different levels of cowdung. Maximum number of total grains panicle-1 was found from C3 (91.8)
which was statistically identical with C2 (91.7) while minimum from C0 (83.0) (Table 2).
Grain yield ha-1: Significant variation was found in grain yield ha-1 of BRRI dhan33 to different levels
of cowdung. Maximum grain yield ha-1 was found from C3 (5.2 ton) which was statistically identical with
C2 (5.0 ton) while minimum from C0 (3.3 ton). Cowdung can supply a good amount of plant nutrients

http://www.ijbssr.com
Oahiduzzaman et al. 148

and thus can contribute to crop yields. Saha et al. (2007) reported that grain yields were significantly
increased as a result of the application cowdung at the rate of 5 t ha-1.
Straw yield ha-1: Straw yield ha-1 of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of cowdung.
Maximum straw yield ha-1 was found from C3 (6.7 ton) which was statistically identical with C2 (6.5 ton)
while minimum from C0 (4.8 ton) (Table 2). Saha et al. (2007) reported that straw yields were
significantly increased as a result of the application cowdung at the rate of 5 t ha-1.
Biological yield ha-1: Biological yield ha-1 of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum biological yield ha-1 was found from C3 (11.9 ton) which was statistically identical
with C2 (11.5 ton) and minimum was observed from C0 (8.1 ton) (Table 2).
Harvest index: Harvest index of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of cowdung.
Maximum harvest index was found from C3 (43.6%) which was statistically identical with C2 (42.6%)
and C1 (41.3%) while minimum from C0 (39.8%) (Table 2).
N content in grain: N content in grain of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum N content in grain was found from C3 (1.39%) which was statistically identical with
C2 (1.33%) while minimum from C0 (1.10%) (Table 3). Significant increase in N content and also the
nutritional status of soil with 5 t ha-1 of FYM of rice based cropping system. Sharma and Mitra (1991)
reported a significant increase in N, P and K content and also the nutritional status of soil with 5 t ha-1 of
FYM of rice based cropping system and significant increase in N content and with 5 t ha-1 of FYM of
rice based cropping system (Sharma and Mitra, 1991).
P content in grain: P content in grain of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum P content in grain was found from C3 (0.29%) which was statistically identical with
C2 (0.28%) whereas minimum from C0 (0.19%) (Table 3). Significant increase in P content and also the
nutritional status of soil with 5 t ha-1 of FYM of rice based cropping system (Sharma and Mitra, 1991).
K content in grain: K content in grain of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum K content in grain was found from C3 (0.65%) which was statistically identical with
C2 (0.63%) while minimum from C0 (0.54%) (Table 3). Sharma and Mitra (1991) reported a significant
increase in K content and also the nutritional status of soil with 5 t ha-1 of FYM of rice based cropping
system.
S content in grain: S content in grain of BRRI dhan33 varied significantly to different levels of
cowdung. Maximum S content in grain was found from C3, C2 and C1 (0.13%) whereas minimum from
C0 (0.11%) (Table 3).
Zn Content in grain: Significant variation was found for Zn content in grain of BRRI dhan33 to
different levels of cowdung. Maximum Zn content in grain was found from C3 (0.026%) which was
statistically identical with C2 (0.025%) and C1 (0.024%) whereas minimum from C0 (0.020%) (Table 3).
Conclusion
The maximum number of filled grains panicle-1 (83.73) was found from C3. The highest grain yield ha-1
(5.18 ton) was observed from C3. It was observed that cowdung application have significant positive
effect on growth and yield of BRRI dhan-33. 5 t ha-1 cowdung and 5.5 t ha-1 cowdung showed
statistically same grain yield.
References
Ali, M. I. 1994. Nutrient balance for sustainable Agriculture. Paper presented at the workshop on
Integrated Nutrient Management for sustainable agriculture held at SRDI, Dhaka.
Ali, M. S., N. Pervin, B. Ahmed, M. A. Alam and S. M. A. Haque. 2003. Combined effect of cowdung
with urea super granule on yield and nutrient uptake by BRRI Dhan30. Interl. J. Animal and
Fisheries Sci. 11-14.
Cheema, N. M., N. Ullah and N. U. Khan. 2006. Effect of zinc on the panicle structure and yield of
coarse Rice IR-6. Pakistan J. Agric. Res., 19(4): 34-37.
Gomez, K. A. and A.A. Gomez. 1984. Statistical procedures for Agricultural Research. Jhon Wiley and
Sons, New York.
Hunter, A. H. 1984. Soil Fertility Analytical Service in Bangladesh. Consultancy Report BARC, Dhaka.
Kant, S. and R. Kumar. 1994. A comparative study on the effect of four soil amendments on the uptake
of Fe, Mn and yield of rice in salt affected soil. Indian J. Agric. Chem. 27(283): 59-70.
Miah, M. M. U. 1994. Prospects and problems of organic farming in Bangladesh. Paper presented at the
workshop on Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustainable Agriculture. Soil Resource Dev.
Inst., Dhaka, June 26-28, 1994.
Page, A. L., R. H. Miller and D. R. Keeney. 1982. Methods of analysis part 2, Chemical and
Microbiological Properties, Second Edition, American Society of Agronomy, Inc., Soil Science
Society of American Inc. Madson, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 403-430.

http://www.ijbssr.com
Effect of Cowdung on BRRI dhan33 149

Reganold, J. P., I. P. Robert and J. F. Parr. 1990. Sustainability of agriculture in the United States-An
overview. Proc. Sustainable Agriculture, Issues, Prospective and Prospects in Semi Arid
Tropics. Singh, R.P. (ed.)
Saha, P. K., M. Ishaque, M. A. Saleque, M. A. M. Miah, G. M. Panaullah and N. I. Bhuiyan. 2007. Long-
term integrated nutrient management for rice-based cropping pattern: effect on growth, yield,
nutrient uptake, nutrient balance sheet, and soil fertility. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Analysis.
38(5/6): 579-610.
Sharma, M. K. and C. Mitra. 1991. Nutrient content and also the nutritional status of soil with FYM of
rice based cropping system. Indian J. Agron. 36(3): 132-136.
100.0 C0
C1
C2
Plant height (cm).

C3
70.0

40.0

10.0
30 50 70 90 at harvest
Days after transplanting (DAT)

Fig. 1. Response of BRRI dhan-33to different level of cowdung on plant height

Table 1. Effect of different levels of cowdung on yield contributing characters and yield of transplanted
aman rice BRRI dhan33
Number of Number of non- Length of Weight of
Levels of Number of total
effective tillers effective tillers -1 panicle 1000 grains
cowdung tillers hill
hill-1 hill-1 (cm) (g)
C0 10.2 c 3.8 a 14.0 b 20.1 b 20.2 c
C1 11.9 b 3.2 b 15.1 a 21.0 ab 21.2 b
C2 13.1 a 2.4 c 15.5 a 21.8 a 21.6 ab
C3 13.4 a 2.4 c 15.8 a 22.1 a 21.9 a
LSD(0.01) 0.6 0.2 0.6 1.1 0.6
CV(%) 5.7 8.6 4.9 5.9 3.6
Table 2. Effect of different levels of cowdung on yield contributing characters and yield of transplanted
aman rice BRRI dhan33
Number of Number of
Number Grain Straw
Levels of filled unfilled Biological Harvest
of total yield (t yield (t
cowdung grains grains -1 -1 yield index (%)
grain ha ) ha )
panicle-1 panicle-1
C0 72.9 c 10.2 a 83.0 c 3.3 c 4.8 c 8.1 c 39.8 b
C1 78.5 b 9.6 a 88.0 b 4.2 b 5.8 b 10.0 b 41.3 ab
C2 83.3 a 8.4 b 91.7 a 5.0 a 6.5 a 11.5 a 42.6 a
C3 83.7 a 8.0 b 91.8 a 5.2 a 6.7 a 11.9 a 43.6 a
LSD(0.01) 3.7 0.6 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 2.6
CV (%) 5.5 8.3 3.7 8.4 7.8 1.9 7.4
Table 3. Effect of different levels of cowdung on nutrient content in grain of transplanted aman rice
BRRI dhan33
Levels of Content (%) in grain
cowdung N P K S Zn
C0 1.10 c 0.19 c 0.54 c 0.11 b 0.020 b
C1 1.27 b 0.24 b 0.58 b 0.13 a 0.024 a
C2 1.33 a 0.28 a 0.63 a 0.13 a 0.025 a
C3 1.39 a 0.29 a 0.65 a 0.13 a 0.026 a
LSD(0.01) 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.003
CV(%) 5.78 9.92 6.31 4.92 4.950

http://www.ijbssr.com