FERTILIZATION RECOMMENDATION FOR RICE FIELD BASED ON NUTRIENT STATUS OF N, P, K, AND PH IN CENTRAL BENGKULU REGENCY

The evaluation of status and dynamics of nutrients in the soil can be used as the balanced fertilization recommendations in compliance with the needs of plant growth. In order to be more effective and efficient, the balanced fertilization is not necessary to give all of macro/micro elements that available in forms of fertilizer, but only gives elements that in sufficient to the grow of plant. Based on this consideration, the assessment of paddy fertilization by using Paddy Soil Test Kit was conducted in Central Bengkulu Regency. The assessment was conducted for fand hoour months, hoped it would produced the balanced fertilization recommendation based on Paddy Soil Test Kit. The assessment method was done through semi-qualitative by colorimetric method (coloration) to measure N, P, K nutrients and soil acidity (pH) in the form of available. Soil nutrient analysis result in Central Bengkulu Regency showed that itwas dominated by moderate-K element (88.89%), then high-N element (77.78%) and low-P element (50%), with pH was in slightly acid conditions. Based on this condition, the fertilization recommendation wereN 200-250 kg urea/ha for New Prime Variety (NPV) paddy and 250-300 kg urea/ha for hybrid paddy, P 100-125 kg SP-36 for NPV paddy and120-150 kg sp-36/ha for hybrid paddy. Fertilization for K was strongly suggested by returning rice straw to field, whereas field management was using conventional drainage system