Integration of water management and phosphate dosage as an applicative approach to growth, productivity, and inter parameter relationships in upland rice (

Global climate change has had a significant impact on the availability of water for rice cultivation. Phosphorus plays a vital part in root development, energy production and the efficient use of water. This study aims to integrate water management and phosphorus application to enhance the growth and yield of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and understand the relationship between parameters. The study employed a factorial design comprising 16 combinations of two main factors: water stress level (100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of field capacity) and phosphorus dose (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg of SP-36 per hectare). Urea (200 kg/ha) and KCl (50 kg/ha) were applied as a basal fertiliser to all treatments. The paddy variety used was Situ Bagendit. Treatment C1P2 (75% field capacity and 100 kg SP-36/ha) produced the highest yield of milled rice compared to all other treatment combinations. This result was not significantly different to those of treatments C0P2 (100% field capacity and 100 kg SP-36/ha) and C0P3 (100% field capacity and 150 kg SP-36/ha). These findings were supported by multivariate and univariate analyses. Correlation analysis showed that components of yield, dry milled grain weight, grain weight per plant and number of panicles, were closely related and collectively influenced the final grain yield. This approach highlights the potential for implementing integrated, practical cultivation strategies to support sustainable paddy rice farming systems.