|
Aerobic Rice System
in Rainfed Areas
of Bulacan1
J.
B. Soriano2 , B. A. Bouman3, R. M. Lampayan3
, J. A. Valdez2 , L. B. Silverio2 ,
B. V. Villanueva4, W. Peralta4, M. I.
Pastrana2, J. P. Mendoza2, R. Magbuana3,
L. Caramihan3
Abstract
The biggest consumer of available water worldwide is the
irrigated agriculture. Increased competition in using water for
domestic, industrial and environmental purpose may result in less
water available for agriculture. Rice is the biggest beneficiary
of irrigation water and ways must be sought to produce more rice
with less water. A promising water-saving
technology nowadays
is “Aerobic Rice”
which is grown in non - flooded and non - puddled soil.
In
2003, the International Rice Research Institute, Bulacan
Agricultural State College and Bureau of Soil and Water Management
( NSWRRDC) initiated aerobic rice research and development
projects in the
province. Factorial experiment on different water regimes and rice
varieties was established in two dry seasons (2004 and 2005). The
experiment composed of three irrigation water treatments and four
rice varieties. Irrigation water treatments are 7- day irrigation
interval, 3 - 4 days irrigation interval and 10 – day irrigation
interval. APO, Magat, UPL Ri-5 and PS Rc-82 (local check) are the
rice varieties used in the experiment. Results of the
experiment shows that there is significant effect of the
interaction between the two treatments on the yield. Apo
had a significantly higher mean yield (2.7 t ha-1) and
water productivity (0.34 g grain kg-1 water) than the
other varieties.
For 2004 and 2005 wet season, a nitrogen by row spacing
experiment was conducted for optimum combination of high yield and
lodging resistance. Nitrogen rates are 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg/ha;
while 25, 30 and 35 cm for the furrow spacing. For nitrogen
application during the wet season, 90 kg/ha had the highest average yield of 4.63 ton/ha and shows favorable crop lodging
response. There is no significant effect of the different row
spacings on the yield
of APO.
Development of varieties intended for aerobic rice
cultivation is being undertaken through the establishment of
varietal experiment and farmers participatory varietal selection.
One of the ways to develop and gather knowledge is through
farmer participatory research. In wet season of 2004, we included
7 farmer cooperators. There were thirteen farmers who involved
during the 2005
wet season, besides, around fifty farmers in the province who
adopted the technology. With the farmers’
testimonies, some advantages
were noted making them go for aerobic rice
during the wet season. Among the noted advantages are: low
inputs; easy to grow ( less labor requirement); competitive yield;
higher income; early establishment ( improved farming system and
productivity); resistant to pest and diseases; and weed
competitive.
To
continuously develop
and promote the technology, we
need to establish extension and training component as well as
producing quality
aerobic rice seeds for distribution while maintaining its research
and development projects.
1/ - A technical
paper for presentation in the 4th PSAE
International Convention and Exhibition
on April
17 – 21, 2006 at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City,
Philippines
2/ - Faculty and researchers of the Bulacan
Agricultural State College San Ildefonso, Bulacan
3/ - Scientist
and researchers of the International Rice Research Institute Los
Banos, Laguna
4/ - Research
staff of the
National Soil
and Water
Resources Research
and Development Center –
BSWM San Ildefonso,
Bulacan
|
