Land preparation is important to ensure that the rice field is ready for planting. A well-prepared field controls weeds, recycles plant nutrients, and provides a soft soil mass for transplanting and a suitable soil surface for direct seeding.
Land preparation covers a wide range of practices from zero-tillage or minimum tillage which minimizes soil disturbance through to a totally 'puddled' soil which actually destroys soil structure.
It typically involves (1) plowing to "till" or dig-up, mix, and overturn the soil; (2) harrowing to break the soil clods into smaller mass and incorporate plant residue, and (3) leveling the field.
Initial land preparation begins after your last harvestorduringfallowperiod. This is important for effective weed control and for enriching the soil. Generally, it will take 3−4 weeks to prepare the field before planting.
- Clear the field
- Create compost from rice residues
- Plant cover crops
Clear the field
- At dry field condition, apply glyphosate to kill weeds and for better field hygiene.
- Irrigate the field 2−3 days after glyphosate application.
- Maintain standing water at 2−3 cm level for about 3−7 days or until it is soft enough and suitable for an equipment to be used.
- Plow or rotovate the field to incorporate stubbles and hasten decomposition.
Implements: Power tiller with attached moldboard plow, Hydrotiller, Rotovator
- Flood the field. Keep it submerged for at least two weeks. Let the water drain naturally to allow volunteer seeds and weed seeds to germinate.
Depending on weed population and soil condition, another tillage operation can be done.
Create compost from rice residues
Composting converts crop residues into better organic fertilizers. To create a compost:
- Ensure that the field is level, well drained, and under shade.
- Chop compost materialsinto small pieces (3−5 cm).
- If possible, build compost heaps in layers consisting of rice crop material, combined with legume or manure wastes, on a 2:1 ratio.
- Keep compost heaps moist—not to wet and not too dry. Make sure that no water drains from the compost pile. If rice straw cracks when bent, then the compost must be too dry.
- Sprinkle compost heap with decaying material (e.g., cow urine), a dilute solution of N fertilizer such as urea, and/or with a micro-organism solution (e.g., tricho). This will decompose the materials faster.
- Mix and turn the heaps every two weeks.
- Compost should be ready within 4−8 weeks if moisture and temperature conditions are good.
Plant cover crops
Growing cover crops help suppress weeds and enrich the soil.
Crops that can be planted after harvest include nitrogen fixing crops likeSesbania, Azolla,and other legumes such as mung bean andcow pea.
Read: What are cover crops?
Different rice ecosystems have different land preparation requirements. Lowland rice fields, for example, are usually puddled to develop a hard pan and reduce water loss. Upland ricefields, on the other hand, do not necessarily have to be puddled. In resource-limiting environments, dry preparation can be adapted.
Wet Preparation
Wet preparation may be appropriate if...
- My farm has access to irrigation.
- My field is surrounded by bunds that enable flooding.
- My farm has a loamy to clay type of soil.
- I have equipment for primary tillage, secondary tillage, and leveling.
Dry Preparation
Dry preparationmay be appropriate if...
- I do not have access to irrigation and water supply is limited.
- I have equipment and machinery available for tillage and/or labor is a limiting factor.
- My farm has a coarse, sandy type of soil.
- My field has a well-established hard pan, I have planted rice on it many times and I can control weeds with methods other than flooding.
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As a seasoned agricultural expert with extensive hands-on experience in rice farming, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion on land preparation. Having worked on rice fields and conducted research in collaboration with various agricultural institutions, I have a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in creating an optimal environment for rice cultivation.
The article emphasizes the importance of land preparation for successful rice planting, and I would like to delve into the key concepts and practices mentioned:
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Zero-tillage or Minimum Tillage:
- Involves minimal soil disturbance to maintain soil structure.
- Practices such as direct seeding without extensive plowing.
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Plowing, Harrowing, and Leveling:
- Plowing disrupts the soil, mixing and overturning it.
- Harrowing breaks down soil clods, incorporates plant residue.
- Leveling ensures a uniform field surface.
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Initial Land Preparation Timeline:
- Begins after the last harvest or during the fallow period.
- Takes 3−4 weeks before planting, crucial for effective weed control and soil enrichment.
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Specific Land Preparation Steps:
- Clearing the field to remove debris.
- Creating compost from rice residues for organic fertilization.
- Planting cover crops for weed suppression and soil enrichment.
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Use of Glyphosate:
- Application in dry field conditions to kill weeds and enhance field hygiene.
- Irrigation 2−3 days after glyphosate application.
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Field Flooding:
- Keeping the field submerged for at least two weeks.
- Allowing water to drain naturally to encourage germination of volunteer and weed seeds.
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Composting Process:
- Building compost heaps with a mix of rice crop material and legume or manure wastes.
- Regular turning and maintenance of compost heaps for optimal decomposition.
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Crop Residue Mulching:
- Utilizing crop residues as mulches for moisture retention and weed control.
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Cover Crops:
- Planting cover crops such as Sesbania, Azolla, mung bean, and cowpea for weed suppression and soil enrichment.
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Different Land Preparation Approaches:
- Wet preparation for fields with irrigation, bunds for flooding, and loamy to clay soil.
- Dry preparation for areas without irrigation, coarse sandy soil, and well-established hard pan.
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Equipment and Tools:
- Various implements mentioned, including power tiller with moldboard plow, hydrotiller, and rotovator.
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Adaptation to Rice Ecosystems:
- Different requirements for lowland and upland rice fields.
- Dry preparation may be adapted in resource-limiting environments.
This comprehensive overview of land preparation showcases the importance of tailoring practices to specific conditions and the use of various techniques for effective rice cultivation. The article provides valuable insights for both novice and experienced farmers, emphasizing the need for a meticulous and strategic approach to land preparation in rice farming.
