Rice Production Course Land Preparation By JF Rickman and Tom P. Clemeno Ag. Engineering & Experiment Station IRRI
IRRI: Rice Production Course Learning Objectives Clarify the need for plowing Describe primary tillage and its implementation Describe secondary tillage and its implementation Clarify the need for puddling Present different plowing patterns IRRI: Rice Production Course
Can anyone explain the use of plowing? IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Why plow? Create seedbed Kill weeds/pest Incorporate fertilizer Water control (in/out) Change clod size Incorporate residues IRRI: Rice Production Course
Fallow Field (Starting Point) IRRI: Rice Production Course
What is primary tillage and what should be achieved? IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Primary Tillage First working after harvest Most aggressive Cuts and shatters soil Burying crop residues Highest power requirement Leaves rough surface Done either wet or dry IRRI: Rice Production Course
Primary tillage operations IRRI: Rice Production Course
Field after first plowing IRRI: Rice Production Course
Primary Tillage Implements Moldboard and Disc Plow IRRI: Rice Production Course
Primary Tillage Implements Offset and Chisel plow IRRI: Rice Production Course
Primary Tillage Implements Rotovator IRRI: Rice Production Course
What is secondary tillage and what is to be achieved ? IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Secondary tillage Follow primary tillage Normally shallower working depth Provide additional soil pulverization/puddling Level soil surface Control weeds IRRI: Rice Production Course
Secondary tillage operations IRRI: Rice Production Course
After secondary working IRRI: Rice Production Course
Secondary Tillage Implements Tandem Disc IRRI: Rice Production Course
Secondary Tillage Implements Tine cultivator IRRI: Rice Production Course
After final dry working IRRI: Rice Production Course
Zero tilled field-chemical tillage IRRI: Rice Production Course
Can anyone explain “puddling”? Why do farmers puddle the soil? IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Puddling Create hard pan to reduce deep water percolation Kill emerging weeds prior to planting Level fields Softens soil for transplanting IRRI: Rice Production Course
Puddling using 4wd tractor IRRI: Rice Production Course
Puddling using a Hydro tiller IRRI: Rice Production Course
Puddled field prior to planting IRRI: Rice Production Course
Why do we use different plowing patterns? IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Plowing patterns Determined by implement (one-way plow can only throws soil in one direction) Determined by desired field levelness-headland most level Determined by field shape-long narrow fields Determines efficiency (headland pattern most efficient) IRRI: Rice Production Course
Circuitous Plowing Patterns Starts at outside and leaves a furrow in the middle of field
Headland Pattern Starts at one end and leaves flat even field
Land Plow System Starts In middle and leaves a level field
IRRI: Rice Production Course Conclusion Poorly prepared fields will cause management problems through the following crop. Symptoms include: Poor plant establishment Excessive pest / weed burdens Uneven crop growth and maturity Poor water use efficiency “You reap what you sow” IRRI: Rice Production Course
IRRI: Rice Production Course Questions or Comments? IRRI: Rice Production Course