Synergistic effects of chemical, organic, and biofertilizers in rice (Oryza sativa L.): A meta-analysis of growth, yield, economics, and soil resilience

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a vital staple crop, nourishing over 3.5 billion people globally, with Asia contributing 90% of its production (FAO, 2023). Intensive rice cultivation, heavily reliant on chemical fertilizers, has led to soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and environmental pollution, posing significant risks to long-term food security and ecosystem health (Buresh et al., 2019). Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) emerges as a sustainable solution by synergistically combining chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and biofertilizers to optimize nutrient supply, enhance soil health, and improve economic outcomes. This comprehensive review synthesizes findings from 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025 to evaluate INM’s long-term impacts on rice growth, yield, economics, and soil ecosystems. The analysis reveals that INM increases grain yield by 10-25% compared to conventional methods, driven by improved nutrient availability, enhanced soil microbial activity, and superior growth parameters such as tillering and plant height (Singh et al., 2019). For instance, a 10-year study in India demonstrated that INM, combining 50% chemical fertilizers with farmyard manure (FYM), boosted tiller number by 20% and grain yield by 18% (Kumar et al., 2020). Economically, INM reduces input costs by 10-20% and increases net returns by up to 25%, as locally available organic inputs like FYM and vermicompost decrease reliance on costly synthetic fertilizers (Mahajan et al., 2020). Soil health benefits are profound, with INM elevating soil organic carbon (SOC) by 15-30% and microbial biomass by 20-25%, fostering nutrient cycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 18% (Sharma et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2022). These improvements enhance soil fertility, water retention, and ecosystem resilience, supporting sustainable rice production. However, challenges such as limited farmer awareness, high initial costs for biofertilizers, and regional variability in soil and climate conditions impede widespread adoption (Yadav et al., 2021). For example, smallholder farmers often lack access to quality biofertilizers, and high-rainfall regions face nutrient leaching risks (Hossain et al., 2020). To overcome these barriers, targeted interventions are essential, including farmer training programs, subsidies for organic inputs, and precision agriculture technologies like soil sensors to optimize nutrient application. This review underscores INM’s transformative potential in balancing productivity, profitability, and environmental health, positioning it as a cornerstone for resilient rice farming amid climate change and population growth. Policymakers and researchers must prioritize region-specific INM strategies, particularly in underrepresented regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure global food security while preserving soil ecosystems for future generations. By addressing adoption challenges, INM can revolutionize sustainable rice production worldwide.