A What do you observe in the two

A What do you observe in the two pictures? Which seems well-levelled, A or B? Why? B What are the benefits of a welllevelled field?

Land Preparation Key Check 2: No high & low soil spots after final levelling Part 1: Understanding the Palay. Check System

Importance of Key Check 2 less water to fill up; uniform water distribution; easier drainage efficient fertilizer application less weed incidence; better snail management uniform crop maturity; timely harvesting use of farm machinery & application of controlled irrigation facilitated A well-leveled field is a prerequisite to GOOD WATER & CROP MANAGEMENT.

If land is not well levelled. . . • More water is needed to wet up the soil for land prep and • crop establishment, reducing the effective time available to complete these tasks. Increased weeds, uneven crop stand maturity, which results in lower yields and reduced grain quality.

Assessment of Key Check 2 A field is properly leveled if: § No portion has more than 5 cm of water depth (≈ thumb length). § No mound of soil can be seen above the water surface after final land leveling.

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 § Clean & repair dikes & ditches. Why do you have to clean & repair dikes & ditches?

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 Benefits of cleaning & repairing dikes & ditches. 1. Clean dikes to remove pest 2. Compact dikes to prevent seepage. 3. Maintain dikes at 15 cm high x 20 cm wide to prevent rat burrowing. 4. Ditches ensure even water distribution & drainage. Draining removes toxic substances, allows organic matter to decompose, & helps plant to produce stronger & deeper roots.

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 § Plow field 3 to 4 wk before planting. Why? üReduce clod size üIncorporate fertilizer, residues & allow decomposition üControl pests, water flow üPrepare seedbed If organic materials are not fully decomposed, soil becomes acidic & some nutrients become less available.

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 § Harrow field at least 2 x at 1 wk interval. ü Breaks the clods ü Incorporates stubbles ü Allows drop seeds & ü weed seeds to germinate Helps reduce initial pest population & maintain hard pan

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 § Level the field with a wooden plank or power tillerattached leveler.

Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 § For direct wet-seeded rice, construct small canals surrounding the field near the levee & at the middle of the field. What for? As path for excess water & to facilitate collection of snails, to facilitate field operations (i. e. replanting, weeding)

Input-Outcome Dike & ditch cleaning & repairing; plowing & harrowing; levelling FIELD WITH NO HIGH & LOW SOIL SPOTS reduced pest population, weeds, & water loss; decomposed plant residues & recycled plant nutrients; uniform water distribution & crop maturity; efficient nutrient intake Better yield & grain quality; Less damage to environment

Key Check 2: No high & low soil spots after final levelling

CREDITS Instructional presentation designer: Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga Sources of technical content/reviewers of presentation: Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado; Engr. Arnold Juliano; Dr. Aurora Corales; Engr. Eugenio Castro, IRRI Note: Adapted from a powerpoint presentation developed by: Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado; Engr. Arnold Juliano; Dr. Aurora Corales You may use, remix, tweak, & build upon this presentation non-commercially. However, always use with acknowledgment. For more information, visit: Unless otherwise stated, the names listed are Phil. Rice staffers. Produced in 2011 Text: 0920 -911 -1398