Enhancing Yield and Nutrition with Micronutrient Sprays
The technology "Foliar Micronutrient Addition for Healthier Rice" is a method developed to address micronutrient deficiencies in rice crops. It involves the use of concentrated liquid forms of micronutrient fertilizers that are designed to be applied directly onto the leaves and stems of the rice plants. This technology is designed to be easily adopted within rice-growing communities of Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to tackle the low availability of crucial micronutrients in the soil due to the region's old and highly weathered soil conditions. The application of micronutrients onto the rice canopy aims to significantly enhance the harvest yield and nutritional quality of the grain without requiring extensive investment or infrastructure.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
Fertilizers
Yield increased
Protective kits per person
Knapsack sprayers with a tank of 20 liter
Open source / open access
This technology is beneficial for end users (farmers, aggregators):
Using this technology helps you to address the challenge of low micronutrient content in rice, enhancing both grain yield and nutritional value.
For the cost structure, consider that:
Training is important.
As key partners you need agro dealers.
You need to estimate the profit realized with the use of this practice knowing that in Brazil and Malaysia, foliar application of zinc, copper and boron to rice crops has been shown to increase grain yield by 7% to 30%, as well as strengthen resistance to fungal diseases like brown spot, rice blast and sheath blight, as compared to when no micronutrients are supplied.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive medium
Women: Positive medium
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity
Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released
Environmental health: Does not improve environmental health
Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility
Water use: Same amount of water used
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Benin | Tested | Adopted |
Burkina Faso | Tested | Adopted |
Burundi | Tested | Adopted |
Cameroon | Tested | Adopted |
Côte d’Ivoire | Tested | Adopted |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Tested | Adopted |
Ethiopia | Tested | Adopted |
Ghana | Tested | Adopted |
Kenya | Tested | Adopted |
Madagascar | Tested | Adopted |
Malawi | Tested | Adopted |
Mozambique | Tested | Adopted |
Niger | Tested | Adopted |
Nigeria | Tested | Adopted |
Rwanda | Tested | Adopted |
Senegal | Tested | Adopted |
Tanzania | Tested | Adopted |
Togo | Tested | Adopted |
Uganda | Tested | Adopted |
Zambia | Tested | Adopted |
Zimbabwe | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | – | – | ||
Semiarid | – | – | ||
Subhumid | ||||
Humid |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Selection: Choose the right foliar micronutrient solution tailored for rice crops, ensuring it contains essential elements like magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, and boron.
Safety: Wear appropriate protective equipment during application to prevent any potential health risks, especially if the solution contains additional chemicals or pesticides.
Timing: Apply the solution at the appropriate growth stage of the rice, preferably when the plant leaves are most receptive, typically six to eight weeks after planting or at critical growth stages.
Dilution: Dilute the concentrated solution as recommended, ensuring the correct concentration for optimal uptake by the plants.
Application: Using a sprayer, evenly spray the solution onto the rice canopy. Ensure the droplets are fine for maximum absorption. A nebulizer sprayer can be particularly effective.
Coverage: Ensure complete coverage of all plant leaves, as this is where absorption primarily takes place.
Last updated on 22 May 2024