farmers in the Philippines
RJ Buresh (IRRI), MJC Regalado, WB Collado
Rice Crop Manager (RCM) can be accessed at http://webbapps.irri.
org/ph/rcm through a web browser using a computer or smartphone. RCM replaces Nutrient Manager and includes all the capabilities of the previous Nutrient Manager plus customized guidelines on crop management practices best suited for the specific rice-growing conditions of a farmer.
RCM aims to provide a recommendation that increases the net income of a farmer by PhP 4500 per hectare per crop. Like other decision tools, RCM must undergo field evaluation and improvement based on the results of field evaluation.
Field trials where conducted to collect essential data for verifying and improving the performance of RCM. The data are then compared relative to farmer’s practice at two levels of attainable (target) yield for RCM.
Highlights:
• In January to June (VeryWet) and July to December (Wet) 2014 cropping seasons, on-farm field trial was conducted in one pilot location in Caraga region particular in Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte. There were 20 farmer cooperator per site selected for field trial in each season. The project involved in the following steps: (a) identified locations in farmer’s field for the conducted field trials, (b) Interviewed farmers at the selected locations with RCM, (c) conducted on-farm field trials for testing the RCM recommendation relative to the farmer’s management practice and (d) used results from field trials in refining the improvement of RCM. The two RCM plots were superimposed in the field of each farmer cooperator. Farmer managed area outside the RCM plots without influenced from the researcher.
• Superimposed the three treatments in the farmer’s field: (FFP) Farmers fertilizer practice, (RCM) RCM recommendation, and (RCM-E) RCM –Enhanced with alternative yield target (see picture in Figure 12) showing standing crop before harvest.
Each site has an area of about 1000m² with a minimum of 300 m²to a maximum of 700 m² per plot. The farmer selected has limited exposure to technologies and projects. The (LGU) local partners helped in identifying the farmers. Thus, a pre-
season interview was conducted of each farmer partner in the two pilot sites. Likewise, an agreement were developed with farmers composed of the area to be use, management of RCM experimental area, inputs provided for the management of RCM field trial, and on monitoring the field.
• In addition, all field activities and observation were recorded.
Specifically, the following data were collected during the conduct of the field trial in each site: area for each plot, amount of fertilizer applied in each plot, date of application for each fertilizer used, farm gate price of each fertilizer source, transplanting or seeding date, harvest date, palay yield, land and crop management practices, frequency of irrigation, pesticide usage (kind,amount,method of application, frequency and date of application), frequency of weeding (manual and agrochemical use), observed injuries caused by animal pest and diseases.
• Yield was determined by marking the three replicate of 2 meter by 2.5 meter or 5m² harvest areas in each of the three plots. After harvest the grain samples were threshed and cleaned. Each palay samples were weighed (fresh weight) to determine the total grain fresh weight of each sample in kilograms to at least one decimal place and further measured the moisture content one time for each sample using a moisture meter to determine the grain yield at 14% moisture content.
• In January to June 2014 cropping season, result shows (Figure 14) that hybrid variety NK5017 and Bigante plus attained a highest average yield (6.66 t/ha) when managed with RCM-E and 6.67 t/ha when managed with RCM while FP got a bit higher of 6.89 t/ha.
• The inbred varieties (PSB Rc18,NSIC Rc226, Rc214) and farmers selections 18Red and Diamond obtained slightly higher yields of 5.47t/ha when managed with RCM and 5.64t/
ha when managed with RCM-E, while the FP only got 5.13t/
ha.
• During this season, some sites were affected by flood cause by typhoon “Caloy” after early fertilizer application stage. Plant injuries cause by army worm was also observed damaging almost 50-100% of the leaves (Figure 13).
• On the other hand, in July to December 2014 cropping season, a much lower yield were obtained compared with the
previous season (Figure 15 ), the FP obtained 3.72t/ha yield which slightly higher than RCM-E 3.69t/ha while RCM got a yield of 3.55t/ha.
• Lower yield obtained this season could be attributed to unstable weather condition (heavy rainfall causing flash flood) during early to active tillering stage, and plant injuries cause by pest and disease (rat, BLB) (Figure 16).
T1- FFP (C. Camacho) T2 – RCM (C. Camacho) T3- RCM-E (C. Camacho)
T1- FFP (R. Jimenez) T2- RCM (Jimenez) T3- RCM-E (R. Jimenez)
Figure 12. Field experimental set up at maturity stage, hybrid (1a, 1b, 1c) and inbred (2a, 2b, 2c) variety.
Figure 13. Army worm damage in (a) RCM and (b) RCM E plots.
Figure 14. Grain Yield (t/ha) of farmers applied with different farmers’
fertilizer management practices (FFP), Rice Crop Manager (RCM) and Rice Crop Manager –Enhanced Recommendation. January to June 2014 cropping
season. Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte.
Figure 15. Grain Yield (t/ha) of farmers applied with different farmers’
fertilizer management practices (FFP), Rice Crop Manager (RCM) and Rice Crop Manager –Enhanced Recommendation. July to December 2014
cropping season. Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte.
Figure 16. Damage (1a,1b) flood during early to active tillering stage, (2a,2b) Rat and BLB (3a,3b).
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1b
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2b
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3b