International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

The decline in soil nutrient availability caused by long-term inorganic fertilizer use has prompted the adoption of organic-based alternatives in paddy systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and its combination with inorganic NPK fertilizer on soil nutrient content—specifically total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and exchangeable potassium (K)—in lowland rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Ciherang). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 11 treatments: nine LOF dose variations, one recommended dose of NPK, and one unfertilized control, replicated three times. The results showed that both LOF and NPK had significant effects on soil nutrient status, with the combined application producing superior outcomes compared to single inputs. Among all treatments, the full combination of LOF and NPK (treatment H) yielded the highest nutrient concentrations: 0.30% total N, 35.65 mg/100g P₂O₅, and 36.14 mg/100g K₂O. These findings indicate that integrated fertilization enhances nutrient availability more effectively than individual applications, supporting the potential of LOF as a complementary component in sustainable nutrient management for paddy rice cultivation.

integrated fertilization, nutrient availability, paddy soil, sustainable agriculture

1. Amalya, N. S., Yuniarti, A., Setiawan, A., & Machfud, Y. (2020). Effects of N, P, K fertilizer and nano silica fertilizer on total N content and uptake in rice soil. Journal of Plant Sciences, 8(5), 185–188.
2. Arifin, M. Z., et al. (2021). Assessment of soil fertility status in rice fields of West Java. Jurnal Tanah dan Iklim Indonesia, 45(1), 43–52.
3. Bei, Q., (2018). Organic fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching and improves soil nitrogen retention. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 18(4), 635–643. 
4. Dewi, W. S., Loveana, O., Rahmawati, R., Sudadi, S., Purwanto, P., Rachmawatie, S. J., & Cahyono, O. (2024). Impact of Moringa leaf liquid fertilizer on P uptake and grain yield of organic rice in Inceptisols. AGRIVITA Journal of Agricultural Science, 46(2), 101–110.
5. Fan, K., Li, X., & Zhang, W. (2023). Effects of long‑term combined organic and inorganic fertilization on soil phosphorus pools. Soil Science & Plant Nutrition, 69(1), 55–63.
6. Igalavithana, A. D., Samuel, A., (2017). Organic amendments enhance soil microbial and enzyme activities: implications for nutrient cycling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 109(C), 125–133.
7. Ma, T., He, X., Chen, S., Li, Y., Huang, Q., Xue, C., & Shen, Q. (2022). Long‑term organic–inorganic fertilization regimes alter bacterial and fungal communities and rice yields in paddy soil. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 879912.
8. Made, U., Idham, & Amirudin. (2022). The effects of using liquid organic NPK fertilizer for rice plant growth and production (Oryza sativa L.). Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 12(4), 237–245.
9. Nabilla Salsa Amalya, A. Y., Setiawan, A., & Machfud, Y. (2020). Effects of N, P, K fertilizer and nano silica fertilizer on total N content and uptake in rice soil. Journal of Plant Sciences, 8(5), 185–188.
10. Prakoso, L. A., (2023). Integrated nutrient management improves potassium availability and rice yield in paddy soils. Journal of Tropical Soils, 28(1), 19–28.
11. Qaswar, M., Bei, Q., Igalavithana, A. D., & Samuel, A. (2020). Effects of long‑term organic fertilizer application on soil nutrients, enzyme activity and crop yield. Science of the Total Environment, 723, 138–148.
12. Samuel, A.,(2018). Impact of composts on nutrient availability and microbial activity in soil. Organic Agriculture, 8(3), 425–437.
13. Sudirja, R., Citraresmini, A., & Sapta Sara, D. (2023). Effectiveness of liquid organic fertilizer on N‑total of soil and nutrient uptake in Inceptisols. E3S Web of Conferences, 444, Article 04017.
14. Wang, J., Zhang, X., Yuan, M., Wu, G., & Sun, Y. (2023). Effects of partial replacement of nitrogen fertilizer with organic fertilizer on rice growth, nitrogen utilization efficiency and soil properties in the Yangtze River Basin. Life, 13(3), 624.
15. Zhou, X.,(2023). Integrated fertilization improves phosphorus availability and microbial activity in paddy soil. Soil Use and Management, 39(2), 219–230.