What do you observe in the two pictures?

1. A B What do you observe in the two pictures? Which seems well-levelled, A or B? Why? What are the benefits of a well-levelled field?

2. Land Preparation Key Check 2: No high & low soil spots after final levelling Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

3. Importance of Key Check 2 • less water to fill up; • uniform water distribution; • easier drainage • efficient fertilizer application • less weed incidence; • better snail management A well-leveled field is a prerequisite to GOOD WATER & CROP MANAGEMENT. • uniform crop maturity; • timely harvesting use of farm machinery & application of controlled irrigation facilitated

4. If land is not well levelled... • More water is needed to wet up the soil for land prep and crop establishment, reducing the effective time available to complete these tasks. • Increased weeds, uneven crop stand and maturity, which results in lower yields and reduced grain quality.

5. Assessment of Key Check 2 A field is properly leveled if: • No portion has more than 5 cm of water depth (≈ thumb length). • No mound of soil can be seen above the water surface after final land leveling.

6. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2

7. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 • Clean & repair dikes & ditches. Why do you have to clean & repair dikes & ditches?

8. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 Benefits of cleaning & repairing dikes & ditches. 1. Clean dikes to remove pest 2. Compact dikes to prevent seepage. 3. Maintain dikes at 15cm high x 20cm wide to prevent rat burrowing. 4. Ditches ensure even water distribution & drainage. Draining removes toxic substances, allows organic matter to decompose, & helps plant to produce stronger & deeper roots.

9. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 • Plow field 3 to 4 wk before planting. • Reduce clod size • Incorporate fertilizer, residues & allow decomposition • Control pests, water flow • Prepare seedbed Why? If organic materials are not fully decomposed, soil becomes acidic & some nutrients become less available.

10. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 • Harrow field at least 2x at 1wk interval. • Breaks the clods • Incorporates stubbles • Allows drop seeds & weed seeds to germinate • Helps reduce initial pest population & maintain hard pan

11. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 • Level the field with a wooden plank or power tiller-attached leveler.

12. Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2 • For direct wet-seeded rice, construct small canals surrounding the field near the levee & at the middle of the field. What for? As path for excess water & to facilitate collection of snails, to facilitate field operations (i.e. replanting, weeding)

13. Input-Output-Outcome Dike & ditch cleaning & repairing; plowing & harrowing; levelling FIELD WITH NO HIGH & LOW SOIL SPOTSreduced pest population, weeds, & water loss; decomposed plant residues & recycled plant nutrients; uniform water distribution & crop maturity; efficient nutrient intake Better yield & grain quality; Less damage to environment

14. Key Check 2: No high & low soil spots after final levelling

15. CREDITS Instructional presentation designer:Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga Sources of technical content/reviewers of presentation: Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado; Engr. Arnold Juliano; Dr. Aurora Corales; Engr. Eugenio Castro, IRRI Note: Adapted from a powerpoint presentation developed by: Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado; Engr. Arnold Juliano; Dr. Aurora Corales You may use, remix, tweak, For more information, visit: & build upon this presentation non-commercially. However, always use with acknowledgment. Unless otherwise stated, the names listed are PhilRice staffers. Produced in 2011 Text: 0920-911-1398