GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF RATOON RICE NSIC RC 160APPLIED WITH SEAWEED-BASED FERTILIZERSUNDER DIFFERENT CUTTING HEIGHTS

This research aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and yield performance of ratoon rice (NSIC RC 160) under different cutting heights and seaweed-based fertilizer applications. A 4 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was implemented to assess the effects of four cutting heights (45 cm, 35 cm, 25 cm, and 15 cm) and three fertilizer sources (75 % Nitrogen Urea, Vitalgro Carrageenan, and Fermented KulapoSargassum spp. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Least Significant differences (LSD) through STAR software. Results revealed that cutting height significantly influenced plant growth and grain development. A 45 cm cutting height consistently produced the tallest plants, while 35 cm promoted earlier flowering and maturity, ideal for shorter cropping seasons. The 15 cm cutting height yielded the heaviest grains and showed numerically higher yield performance, making it favorable for grain quality enhancement. Fertilizer source had minimal impact on most yield components, though 75% Nitrogen Urea significantly increased panicle length and the number of non-productive tillers. Seaweed-based fertilizers, particularly Fermented Kulapo, showed potential as organic alternatives despite not significantly outperforming conventional fertilizers in agronomic traits. Economically, the combination of a 15 cm cutting height and Fermented Kulapo application produced the highest gross income and return on investment (ROI),underscoring its potential as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option for ratoon rice cultivation. These findings suggest that integrating proper cutting height with locally available organic inputs can optimize both yield quality and profitability for farmers.