AGRI 32_Exercise No. 3 _Land Preparation and Field Practices for Lowland and Upland Crops

LAND PREPARATION AND FIELD PRACTICES FOR LOWLAND AND UPLAND CROPS

Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of the exercise, you should be able to:

    • Compare and contrast the land preparation practices for both annual and perennial crops.

    • Compute the population density for annual and perennial crops.

    • Discuss the proper timing for tilling the soil resulting in a well-prepared upland or lowland field suitable for planting annual and perennial crops.

    • Discuss methods of growing rice seedlings.

    • Describe the experiential learning in actual rice planting.


Tillage

  • Tillage: Mechanical manipulation of the soil resulting in soil tilth favorable for seed germination and plant growth.

    • Primary Tillage:

      • Purpose: Break soil compaction, leading to soil clods.

      • Characteristics: More aggressive, deeper operation; leaves the soil rough.

      • Example: Plowing.

    • Secondary Tillage:

      • Conducted after primary tillage to refine soil aggregates and level soil surface.

      • Operations involve harrowing and furrowing.


Characteristics of a Well-Prepared Field

  • Physical Properties:

    • Granular, mellow yet compact enough for close seed contact with soil for better germination.

    • Free of trash or vegetation.

    • Field is level with minimal depression.

  • Benefits of Land Preparation:

    • Excellent condition for crop growth (better aeration, nutrient availability).

    • Weed control and management.

    • Water and soil conservation.

    • Modification of microbial population in the soil.

    • Incorporation of organic matter in the soil.


Systems of Land Preparation

  • Lowland (Wetland) Preparation:

    • Suitable for crops needing continuously or intermittently saturated soils.

    • Commonly grown in bunded fields to retain water.

    • Examples: Lowland rice (Oryza sativa), taro (Colocasia sp.), swamp cabbage (Ipomoea aquatica), water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis).

  • Upland (Dryland) Preparation:

    • Grown in well-aerated soils with no standing water.

    • Requires dryland preparation.


Common Practices in Upland and Lowland Preparation

Direct Seeding Methods

  • Broadcasting:

    • Seeds are evenly spread on top of the seedbed; can be manual or mechanized.

  • Drilling:

    • Seeds are sown in rows at a uniform depth using equipment; greater seeding precision.

  • Dibbling:

    • Seeds are sown at uniform distances with minimal land preparation required before planting.

    • Applicable in hilly areas to reduce soil disturbance.


Methods of Rice Establishment

Direct Seeding

  • Direct Seeded Crops:

    • Require less labor, tend to mature faster than transplanted crops.

    • Not subjected to transplant stress, but face more weed competition.

  • Methods of Direct Seeding:

    • Broadcast Seeding: Widely used, seeds scattered evenly in the field.

    • Row Seeding: Specific rows for better control of seed rate and subsequent operations.

Transplanting

  • Transplanting Method: Commonly used for weed control in wet fields.

    • Requires less seed but more labor compared to direct seeding; takes longer to mature due to transplant shock.

  • Transplanting Methods:

    • Random Method: Seedlings transplanted without fixed distances; essential spacing needed for weed control.

    • Straight-row Method: Facilitates management practices (weeding, fertilizer application).


Rice Seedling Methods

  • Wet Bed

  • Dry Bed

  • Dapog

  • Seedling Boxes for mechanical transplanting.

  • Steps in Dapog Method:

    • Detailed preparation steps for planting seedlings.


Stages of Rice Growth and Development

  • Stage 0: Germination to emergence

  • Stage 1: Seedling

  • Stage 2: Tillering

  • Stage 3: Stem elongation

  • Stage 4: Panicle initiation to booting

  • Stage 5: Heading

  • Stage 6: Flowering

  • Stage 7: Milk grain stage

  • Stage 8: Dough grain stage

  • Stage 9: Mature grain stage


Calculating Plant Density

  • Common Field Layout Activities and Tools:

    • Planting hole digger, planting material/seedling, rope, measuring tape, marker/stake, meter stick, planting board/guide.

Square System Calculation

  1. Formula:

    • No. of Plants = Area / (Planting Distance)^2


Sample Problem: Square System

  • Scenario: Mang Inggo planning a mango farm in a 5-ha land.

  • Planting Distance: 15m x 15m.

  • Calculation:

    • Area = 5 ha = 50,000 m².

    • No. of Plants = 50,000 m² / (15m)² = 222 Plants.


Other Plant Density Layouts

  1. Quincunx/Diagonal System:

    • Modified square planting with filler crops.

    • Formula: No. of Plants = Area s² + [Length S - 1][Width S - 1].

  2. Triangular/Hexagonal System:

    • Trees planted equidistant in equilateral triangle formation.

    • Formula: No. of Plants = Area / (Planting Distance)² x 0.866.


Planting Equipment

  • Animal-Drawn Moldboard Plow: Used for primary tillage, cutting, and inverting soil.

  • Tractor-Drawn Moldboard Plow: Functions like animal-drawn but uses a tractor.

  • Disc Plow: Suitable for breaking hard/dry soil.

  • Comb-Tooth Harrow: Secondary tillage equipment for collecting weeds and leveling soil.

  • Furrower: Creates raised rows for drainage.


References

  • Bautista, O. K. (ed). 1994. Introduction to Tropical Horticulture (second edition) SEARCA and UPLB.

  • De Datta, S. K. 1981. Principles and Practices of Rice Production. John Wiley and Sons New York.

  • International Rice Research Institute. 2015. Rice Production Manual. Los Banos, Philippines.

  • Lantican, R.M. 2001. The Science and Practice of Crop Production. Los Banos, Laguna: SEAMEO-SEARCA and UPLB.

  • Martin, J.H. et al. 1976. Principles of Field Crop Production. Philippine Recommends (PCARRD Series).

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