Development of planting calendars based on agroclimatic indices, water availability and the avoidance of pests and adverse conditions
2004
Alquiza, P.C. | Castro, R.C. | Baysac, F.S. | Tumbaga, R.T. | Ganotisi, N.D.,Philippine Rice Research Inst., Batac, 2906 Ilocos Norte (Philippines))
The optimum planting calendars of five cropping patterns (rice-pepper-corn relay, rice-corn-onion, rice mungbean + corn-corn, rice-mungbean-mungbean + corn and rice-onion-mungbean + corn), were developed, based on agro-climatic indices, water availability and avoidance of pests. The project was set-up at PhilRice Experimental Farm, Batac, Ilocos Norte for two years and verified in farmer's fields. Ground water availability, pests and disease occurrence and soil fertility status were periodically monitored. The economic profitability of the different cropping patterns were documented and analyzed. Among the five planting calendars developed, rice-pepper-corn relay pattern set during the month of June to May 15 gave the highest net income of P110,346/ha/yr in Batac, Ilocos Norte. In Currimao, Ilocos Norte, rice-onion-mungbean + corn pattern grown from June 15 to April had the highest net income (P170,416 ha/year) while rice-hybrid corn-mungbean pattern established on July 15 to April obtained the highest net income (P86,381/ha/yr) in Bacnotan, La Union. Populations of insects and disease vectors were minimal. The continuous rotation of crops also suppressed the growth of weeds. In rainfed areas, the ground water can still support crop production from January to March. Using water conservation techniques (like using of mulching materials) however, planting up to May can be done. A tremendous decrease in the amount of soil organic matter content was noted with continuous cropping hence, supplemental application of organic fertilizers is needed to make the soil sustainable for crop production.
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