Farmers' toolbox of the future : the RCM [Rice Crop Manager] and MOET [Minus One Element Technique] apps
2016
A├▒ora, M.R.O. | Aungon, J.J.E. | Capistrano, A.O.V. | Barroga, R.F.
Nutrient management has been recognized as one of the complex innovations that require a substantial knowledge base on soil properties, variety, weather, and local growing conditions. Unfortunately, not many farmers, or even agricultural extension workers have limited access to these informations, the most basic of which is the soil chemical analysis. Two nutrient decision support apps have been developed recently and are now available to farmers through their mobile phones and tab. These are the Rice Crop Manager (RCM), developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the Minus One Element Technique, which was developed by Dr. Cesar Mamaril of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The app version was developed also by the PhilRice. A randomized complete block design with four replications was established for RCM, MOET, and farmers practice. Partial budgeting was done to analyze the net benefit in terms of fertilizer use and yield advantage. The study focused on the net income of farmers can get using the apps. Initial results in the dry season 2015 showed that the use of MOET App had the highest yield at 3.8 t/ha followed by farmers' practice at 3.42 t/ha, and RCM at 3.26 t/ha. In terms of fertilizer savings, RCM and MOET Apps saved PhP 2,911 and PhP 3,100 over farmers' practice. Yield component analysis showed no statistical significance across different apps. However, there is a strong correlation between the high incidence of whitehead and decreased yield. In wet season 2015, MOET App had a significant higher number of tillers during maximum tillering, however rice plants were damaged due to successive typhoons. Further evaluation of the apps is therefore recommended.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]