Farmers could save P2,000 to P4,000 if they complement inorganic fertilizer application with organic, nutrient experts from the Department of Agriculture said.
Wilfredo B. Collado, a nutrient management expert from DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, said farmers must maximize the benefits of natural sources of nutrients.
“One hundred cavans of palay (five-ton yield) produces 5T of rice straw. If this is incorporated into the soil and decomposed, it can produce 30 kilograms N, which is equivalent to 1.3 bags (65kg) of urea,” he said.
Promoted through the “Abonong swak (Swak sa budget, swak sa palay)” campaign launched during the DA-PhilRice Lakbay Palay recently, balanced fertilization is disseminated to help cut fertilizer costs in rice production amidst the rising price of the commodity.
Collado added it is important for farmers to know the specific nutrients and the amount needed by their crop to avoid applying excessively or sparingly.
These can be identified through Minus-One Element Technique, Leaf Color Chart, Leaf Color Computing App, and Rice Crop Management Advisory Service.
Around 500 onsite participants and 15,000 online viewers of the two-day Lakbay Palay were taught organic-inorganic fertilizer combinations to follow based on their budget and target yield. The following recommendations were specified:
To achieve three to four tons per hectare, spread and decompose three to four tons of rice straw 30 days after transplanting (DAT). Apply 10 bags of decomposed or air-dried chicken manure, commercial organic fertilizer, or vermicompost at 14 DAT.
For varieties that mature in 100 to 110 days, apply one bag of 14-14-14 at 0-14 DAT or 10 to 14 days after sowing (DAS); and one bag urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 28 to 32 DAT or 38 to 42 DAS.
Varieties maturing in 111 to 120 days have to be applied with one bag of 14-14-14 at 0-14 DAT or 10-14 DAS; one bag urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 32 to 36 DAT or 48 to 53 DAS.
Meanwhile, varieties that can be harvested within 121 to 130 days must be fertilized with one bag 14-14-14 at 0-14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS; and one bag and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 36 to 40 DAT or 58 to 62 DAS.
Achieving five to six tons/ha entails spreading and decomposing five to six tons rice straw 30 DAS; applying 10 bags of decomposed or air-dried chicken manure, commercial organic fertilizer, or vermicompost 14 DAT; and mixing one to two kg zinc-sulfate in seedbed 7-10 DAS and two to two kg 14-14-14 at 10 to 14 DAS.
If varieties used mature in 100 to 110 days, apply two bags of 14-14-14 or 16-20-0 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, one bag urea at 18 to 22 DAT or 24 to 28 DAS; one bag urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 28 to 32 DAT or 38 to 42 DAS.
For varieties that mature in 111 to 120 days, feed crops with two bags of 14-14-14 or 16-20-0 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, one bag urea at 22 to 26 DAT or 32 to 36 DAS; and one bag urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 32 to 36 DAT or 48 to 53 DAS.
Two bags of 14-14-14 or 16-20-0 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, one bag urea at 26 to 31 DAT or 36 to 40 DAS, and one bag urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 36 to 40 DAT or 58 to 62 DAS are also vital elements for varieties maturing in 121 to 130 days.
Higher target yield of seven to eight T/ha needs seven to eight tons of rice straw applied 30 DAS; 10 bags decomposed or air-dried chicken manure, commercial organic fertilizer, or vermicompost 14 DAT, one to two kg zinc-sulfate in seedbed seven to 10 DAS, and two to four kg 14-14-14 at 10 to 14 DAS.
For varieties that mature in 100 to 110 days, apply two bags of 14-14-14 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, two bags urea at 18 to 22 DAT or 24 to 28 DAS; two bags urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 28 to 32 DAT or 38 to 42 DAS.
Varieties that can be harvested in 111 to 120 days must be applied with two bags of 14-14-14 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, two bags urea at 22 to 26 DAT or 32 to 36 DAS, and two bags urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 32 to 36 DAT or 48 to 53 DAS.
Rice maturing in 121 to 130 days requires two bags of 14-14-14 at zero to 14 DAT or 10 to 14 DAS, two bags urea at 26 to 31 DAT or 36 to 40 DAS, and two bags urea and 0.5 bag 0-0-60 at 36 to 40 DAT or 58 to 62 DAS. – Press release
April 20, 2024
