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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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).
Wet Bed
Dry Bed
Dapog
Seedling Boxes for mechanical transplanting.
Steps in Dapog Method:
Detailed preparation steps for planting seedlings.
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
Common Field Layout Activities and Tools:
Planting hole digger, planting material/seedling, rope, measuring tape, marker/stake, meter stick, planting board/guide.
Formula:
No. of Plants = Area / (Planting Distance)^2
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.
Quincunx/Diagonal System:
Modified square planting with filler crops.
Formula: No. of Plants = Area s² + [Length S - 1][Width S - 1].
Triangular/Hexagonal System:
Trees planted equidistant in equilateral triangle formation.
Formula: No. of Plants = Area / (Planting Distance)² x 0.866.
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.
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).