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).