Farmer's Preferences for Plant Performance on Rice Cultivation in Rainfed Fields Using Silicate Granule Fertilizer in Gunungkidul of Yogyakarta

ABSTRACT The striking difference of productivity between irrigated rice and rainfed rice is determined some limited factor, i.e. abiotic factors, soil fertility degradation, and pest attacks. The high plant sensitivityy to pests is caused by low silicates content in plant. This study aims to determine the preferences of farmers on crop performance in several rice varieties grown in rainfed lowland rice fields using several doses of granular silicate fertilizer. The research was carried out in Semanu, Gunungkidul on October 2017 to February 2018. Preference assessment was based on plant height, number of tillers, number of grain and form of grain. Preference test was conducted before harvest the plants. Based on observation of plant height and number of tillers, the plant performance showed significant differences in rice variety, silicate fertilizer, and their interaction. Based on the respondent's choices on each parameter, the preferred varieties were Ciherang (V4), Inpari Blast (V2) and Inpari 42 (V3) with the innovation of rice cultivation technology based on silicate granule fertilizer