LEARNING MATERIALS IN TLED-HE 109- AGRI-FISHERY PART II

LEARNING MATERIAL NO. II

NAME OF FACULTY: FERNANDO H. CORATCHEA
SUBJECT: AGRI-FISHERY PART II
SCHEDULE FOR INSTRUCTION: 9:00-10:30 A. M. TTh
TOPIC: ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. define and describe rice plant; and
2. list down and discuss the cultural practices involved in organic rice production.

DISCUSSION: Organic Rice Production and Cultivation

Rice is an annual warm-season grass with flat leaves, round culms, and terminal
panicles. Rice is the world’s most important food crop and dietary staple, ahead of
bananas, wheat, and corn. Rice is the main crop that receives the maximum quantity of
pesticides (17 to 18%) and fertilizers (40%) and these practices pose major challenges
in organic rice farming for pest and nutrient management. Rice is obtained from rice
grains by removing the husk through milling. The product is milled rice.
 A Step by Step Guide for Organic Rice Production and Cultivation

Guide to Organic Paddy Farming

 Several Types of Rice Varieties

Several types of rice varieties are consumed in our country Basmati, Red,
Jasmine, Parboiled, White, Brown, and Sticky Rice. Of these varieties, White and
Basmati Rice are the ones that are most favored in the country. Rice is a flexible crop
and can be cultivated in a variety of climates, be it plains, or in the mountains hence it
can be grown as a wet season crop or as a dry season crop. Though the primary season
is wet season and hence a maximum of the Rice sowing is done in June to October, and
for the dry season, the sowing time is November to February. Simultaneously,
the harvesting happens in November-December for the wet season and March-June for
the dry season. All regions in the country cultivate rice but based on statistics its the
Central Luzon that produces the bulk of rice being consumed in the country today.Rice is
generally a wet season crop, hence majority of rice production in the rest of the country
is produced during wet season.

Selection of Seeds for Organic Rice Paddy Farming

To achieve better crop yield in the cultivation of rice, using quality seeds is an
important factor. So, proper care has to be taken in choosing seeds of the best quality.
Much of the success in raising healthy seedlings based on the quality of seed. Seeds
planned for sowing must satisfy the following requirements;

 The seed must be cleaned and free from mixtures of other seeds.
 It must be matured, well developed, and plump in size.
 The seed must be free from signs of age or bad storage.
 It must have a high germinating capacity and percentage

Soil Preparation for Organic Rice Farming

In rice cultivation, it is always good to study the nature, type, and nutrient content
of the soil before adding nutrients. This entire activity can be done by having soil samples
tested in a soil-testing laboratory. A rice Paddy needs to retain water well. Preferably, soil
wants to include around 50% clay content. And also, soil underlain with an impervious
hard pan or clay-pan helps to retain water. Topsoil must be ideally 18 to 23 cm deep.
Manure can be applied based on the potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of the
soil. In rice paddy cultivation, the yield will be high when the pH level of the soil is
between 5 and 6.5. If the pH level of the soil is below 5 or above 9, the yield will be poor.
Alluvial soil, clayey and sandy clay soils are best suitable for rice paddy cultivation.
 From the day of the sowing period till the harvest period, the plants take in some
nutrients from the soil. It is so important to replace the used nutrients in the soil for the
next season crop and to hold soil fertility. The nutrients required by the plants can be
supplied from organic sources such as green manure, green leaf manure, farmyard
manure, vermicompost, and biofertilizers.

Soil Fertility Management in Organic Rice Paddy Farming

In organic rice paddy cultivation, the application of chemical fertilizer is banned, it

is suggested that growers select a natural fertile land for cultivation. This early selection
provides an advantage in maintaining leverage of quality and quantity. Moreover, growers
must understand the proper soil maintenance and management of soil fertility for the
sustainable production of organic rice. The followings are the references for soil fertility
management as follows;

1. No burning of remaining straws and tillers, in addition to any other organic materials in
the rice field. This will cause losses of beneficial microorganisms and organic matters.
2. Growers may apply organic matters into the rice field for soil improvement frequently.
3. Increase organic matters in soil by growing leguminous crops.
4. The rice field will not be left idle after harvesting and before planting rice. The area
must be covered with leguminous crops and others, such as Cowpea, Jack bean or
Sword bean, Indian hemp, and Sesbania ristrata.
5. Soil analysis must be done yearly. Adjust the soil pH level to 5.5-6.5. In the case of
high acidic soil, it is suggested to use marl or wood ash.
The atmosphere contains around 78% nitrogen. In rice paddy cultivation, some of
the microbes that are usually used for the purpose include Phosphobacteria,
Azotobacter, and Azospirillum. They not only decrease the cultivation cost of using
chemical fertilizers but also increase the yield and the fertility of the soil.

Plant growth regulators are;

Panchagavya – Panchagavya is a growth regulator produced from a combination of 5

products found from the cow fermented along with a few other bio products. For coarse
varieties, one spray of 3% Panchagavya must be given in the booting and tillering stage.
For fine varieties, one spray of 3% Panchagavya should be given in the booting stage.

Amirthakaraisal – Around 1,250 liters of Amirthakaraisal must be mixed

with irrigation water for a one-hectare crop. When it is used as a spray, 25 liters are
essential. This gives good yield and improves soil fertility.
Selection of Seed in Organic paddy Framing

In rice paddy cultivation, seed selection plays a major role. The seeds selected for
cultivation must be of uniform size, age, and free of contaminants. They must also have
good germination capacity and percentage.

Space Requirements in Organic rice paddy Farming

For normal sown crops, the suggested spacing between rows is 20 to 22.5 cm.
When sowing is delayed, a closer spacing of 15-18 cm must be adopted.

The Seed Rate and Seed Treatment in Organic rice paddy Farming

For one acre of land, 8kg seeds are sufficient for planting.Seed treatment helps to
increase the germination potential, vigour, and resistance to disease and pests. Below
are the different methods of rice seed treatment;

Soaking the Seeds in Water

Tie the seeds in a cloth bag or small gunny bag and soak it in water for 12 hours.
After that, you can remove the bag from the water and cover those seeds with a moist
gunny bag. On the next day, soak the rice seeds in water for 8 hours again. After that,
take away the seeds from the water and sow them in the nursery. This method helps to
increase the germination capacity and percentage of the seeds.

Using Cow Dung Solution

Treating rice seeds in a cow dung solution increases their germination. Take 2

liters of cow urine and half kg of fresh cow dung and dilute them with 5 liters of water. 10
to 15 kg seeds first Soak in water for 10 to 12 hours and then in the cow dung solution for
5 to 6 hours. After that, dry the seeds in the shade before sowing them in the nursery.

Using Goat Dung Solution

Treating 30-day old seeds for one day in a goat dung solution improves their
germination.

Using Cow’s Urine Solution

 In 2.5 liters of water, dilute 500 ml of cow’s urine. Tie the seeds in small bags and
soak that seeds in the urine solution for half an hour. Before sowing, dry the seeds in the
shade.

Methods of Organic Rice Cultivation

Methods of Organic Paddy Cultivation.
Below are the methods of Paddy cultivation in the country;

1. Broadcasting method

`Rice seeds are sown uniformly by hand. This method is mostly used in those
areas which are relatively dry and less fertile and do not have sufficient workers to work
in the fields. It is the simplest method needing minimum input but its yields are also
minimum.

2. Drilling method

Two persons do the plowing of land and sowing of seeds. This method is generally
done in places with moderate supply of water.

3. Transplanting method

This method is practiced in areas with supply of water and rainfall, fertile soil, and
a plentiful supply of labor. To start with, seeds are sown in the nursery, and seedlings are
prepared. After 4 to 5 weeks of the time, the seedlings are uprooted and planted in the
field which has already been prepared for the purpose. The complete process is done by
hand. So, it is a very difficult method and needs heavy inputs. But simultaneously it gives
some of the highest yields.

Germination Test in Organic Rice Paddy Farming

The germination test is the most important quality test. It is used for evaluating the
planting value of a seed lot. Below are the several ways of performing a germination test
in Paddy farming;

 In a white cloth tie a handful of rice seeds, soak it in water for 12 hours, and kept in a
dark place for 24 hours. On the next day, check the germination percentage. Tie rice
straw together to make it into a mat and keep the seeds in the center of the mat. Then
roll and tie it. Dip those rice seeds in water for a minute and transfer the seeds to
straw. After completing 24 hours, count the seeds that have germinated.
 First, take a wet gunny bag, fold it properly, put the seeds in between the two layers,
and place the bag in the dark for a day. On the next day, check the germination.

Process of Planting in Organic Rice Paddy Farming

 The water depth in the rice paddy is increased as the rice seedlings grow and then
slowly lowered in increments until the field is dry when the rice is ready to be harvested.
In the growing season, sometimes the water is drained so the field can be weeded and
the soil aerated and then water is put back in.

After several weeks completely drain out the water from the rice paddy field and
the soil around the rice is dry. In several places in the country, rice is still harvested with a
sickle and bundled into sheaves, then threshed by cutting the top inch or so of the stalks
with a knife, and take away the grains by slapping the stalks over propped up boards. For
few days spread them on large sheets and left to dry on the ground, before being taken
to the mill to be processed. In several villages around the world, farmers generally help
each other to harvest their crops.

There are several types of harvesting machines available in the market today.
Some mechanical rice transplanters and diesel-powered rototiller-tractors are available
with harvesting attachments. For harvesting the rice paddy, large machines are not used
because they cannot manoeuvre around the rice field without messing them up. Large
machines require long tracts of uniform land to do their job efficiently.

Irrigation Requirements for Organic Rice Paddy Farming

Irrigation Requirements for Organic Rice Paddy Farming

Rice Paddy can grow in either a dry or a wet setting. In global rice production
around 75% comes from irrigated rice systems because most rice varieties express their
full yield potential when the water supply is sufficient. Especially, in cooler areas, during
late spring, water functions as a heat-holding medium and creates a much milder
environment for rice growing. A pond can hold irrigation water to use in the summer when
water demand is the maximum.

Organic Nutrient Management in Rice Paddy Framing

In organic systems, nutrient management aims to enhance the use of on-farm

resources and minimize losses. Several organic materials like vermin-
composting, biogas slurry, farmyard manure, compost, green manures, crop residues,
bio-fertilizers, and cover crops are a valuable source of nutrients to improve the growth
and yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and grain quality.

Organic Manures in Rice Paddy Farming;

 Some types of organic manure used in rice cropping are farmyard manure, green
manure and organic compost.Below are the different types of organic fertilizer and
naturally produced organic fertilizers;

(1) Compost – Compost must be produced in the field. To speed up the

decomposition process, suitable microorganisms can be added. The compost must be
kept under shade to avoid nutrient losses caused by sunlight and rain.

(2) Animal manure – After rice harvesting in a rural farm, while cattle are allowed
to graze in the Paddy field, their dung or dropping will be mixed with plant materials to
increase organic matter into the soil.

(3) Green manure – The popular legumes to be grown in rice field are Sesbania,
Indian hemp, Cowpea or Southern pea, and Sward bean. Two months before growing
rice, legume planting must be started to produce adequate nitrogen and bio-mass. At the
beginning of the flowering stage or after 45 to 60 days of planting, plough the field to
incorporate plant materials into the soil. Before planting rice, leave it to decompose for 7
days. If the legume is not growing healthy, maybe resulting in insufficient nutrients and
bio-mass, in that case, just apply compost and/or manure that are free from antibiotics
and chemicals. The source of legume seeds, manure, compost, and other addictive
substances, as well as the amount used and the soil fertility management monitoring, will
be checked and recorded.

Organic Pest and Disease Control in Rice Paddy Framing

The best principles used for pest control in the production of organic rice;

 Use rice varieties resistant to insects, diseases, and other pests and suitable to the
particular rice-growing area.
 Apply suitable cultural practices, such as land preparation, seed rate, planting date of
the season and spacing, crop rotation is must and should cut the life cycle of diseases,
insects and other pests, the maintenance of soil fertility and the balance of nutrient
along with water management for better growth of healthy rice plants. Such cultural
practices thus decrease the damage caused by insects, diseases, and other pests.
 Manage the environmental setting of the field negative for pest infestation such as
disposing of infected plant debris by using non-chemical treated Sulphur powder and
weeding.
Managing the Disease and Pest Control in Rice Paddy Farming;

 Grind one kg of garlic and dilute in 1 liter of kerosene. Keep it overnight and filter it.
After that mix in 200 liters of water and spray to control green leafhopper and brown
planthopper.
 4 kg of the rhizome of Alpinia galanga + 4 kg of neem leaves + 4 kg of citronella grass
is chopped and ground in a mortar. After that, mix in 40 lit of water and leave it for a
day. Dilute this solution with water at a 1:60 ratio to control leaf-folder and stem borer.
 Ducks are permitted inside the fields after the harvest of the rice crops. The ducks
feed on insects and snails found on the boundary.

When and How to Harvest Organic Rice?

Harvested Rice.

The better-quality and maximum quantity of rice depend on the harvesting of the
crop at the right maturity stage. Harvesting of rice is the process of collecting the mature
rice crop from the field. Based on the variety, around 115 to 120 days after crop
establishment a Paddy crop generally reaches maturity.

Harvesting activity mainly contains cutting, stacking, handling, threshing, cleaning,

and hauling. Best harvesting methods can help minimize grain damage, deterioration,
and maximize grain yield. Harvesting can be performed mechanically or manually.
Manual harvesting is common and involves cutting the Paddy crop by using simple
hand tools like knives and sickles.

Manual harvesting is effective when a crop has fallen over. Though, it is labor-
intensive. Normally, it needs 40 to 80 man-hours per hectare in manual harvesting, and
also it takes additional labour to manually collect and haul the harvested crop.
Mechanical harvesting can be done by using reapers but is not so common due to the
availability and cost of machinery. After completion of cutting, the rice must be threshed
to isolate the grain from the stalk and cleaned. Threshing can be done by machine or
hand.

Average Yield in Organic Rice Framing

The average havest or yield per acre of rice on an organic farm is 25 to 27

quintals.
EVALUATION:
I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer and send it via messenger or
email.
__________1. It is an annual warm-season grass having flat leaves, round culms, and
terminal panicles.

A. Rice C. Corn
B. Sorghum D. Sweet potato

__________2. One of the rice varieties most favored in the country

A. White variety C. Brown variety

B. Sticky rice variety D. Red variety
 __________3. In the Philippines the planting of rice in a lowland field during wet season
is done in the month of ,

A. June to October C.November to December

B. May to September D. December to January

__________4. Which statement is not correct when choosing a variety of rice to be

planted?

A. The seed must be clean and free from obvious mixtures of other
seeds.
B. The seed be must be matured, well developed, and plump in
size.
C. The seed must be free from obvious signs of age or bad storage.
D. The seed must have a low germinating capacity and percentage

__________5.Which of the following fertilizer materials cannot be used as fertilizer for

organic rice production?

A. Green manure, C.Green leaf manure leaf

B. vermicompost D. Urea

__________6. Which of the following practices is excluded in the proper soil fertility
management for organic rice production?

A. No burning of remaining straws and tillers, in addition to any other

organic materials in the rice field.
B. Growers may apply organic matters into the rice field for soil
improvement frequently.
C. Increase organic matters in soil by growing leguminous crops.

D. Soil analysis must be done every ten years.

__________7. Which rice seeds is not suited to be used as planting material?

A. The rice seed should have uniform size

B. The rice should have uniform age
 C. The rice seed should be free of contaminants.
D. The rice seed should have low germination percentage

__________8. For normal sown rice plants, the suggested spacing between rows is

A. 20 to 22.5 cm. C. 25 to 27.5 cm.

B. 22 to 24.5 cm. D. 24 to 26.5 cm
__________9. Which of the following is not considered a benefit of seed treatment?
A. Seed treatment increases the germination potential of rice seeds
B. Seed treatment increases the vigor of rice seeds
C. Seed treatment increases the resistance of seeds against pest and disease
D. Seed treatment decreases the over all quality of rice seeds
__________10. Which of the methods of testing the viability/germination of the rice
seeds used goat dung solution to improve the germination of the rice seeds?
A. Soaking the seeds in water C.Using cow dung solution
B. Using goat dung solution D. Using goat’s urine solution

II. True or False. Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is
wrong.

__________11. Broadcasting method is the simplest method needing minimum input but
its yields are also minimum.

__________12.Drilling method of planting rice involved three or more persons to do the

plowing of land and sowing of seeds.

__________13. Transplanting method is commonly practiced in areas with minimal

rainfall, infertile soil, and scarce supply of labor.

__________14. The germination test is used in evaluating the planting value of a seed
lot.

__________15. The water level in the rice paddy is gradually increased as the rice
seedlings grow and then slowly lowered in increments until the field is dry when the rice
is ready to be harvested.
__________16. Large harvesting machines require long tracts of uniform land to do
their job efficiently.

__________17.Rice can grow in either a dry or a wet location.

__________18. In organic rice production, nutrient management aims to enhance the

use of on-farm resources and minimize losses.

__________19.The compost must be kept under shade to avoid nutrient losses caused
by sunlight and rain.

__________20. Two months before growing rice, legume planting must be started to
produce adequate nitrogen and bio-mass.

III. Essay: Answer the following questions.

21-25. How the use of rice varieties resistant to insects, diseases, and
other pests and suitable to the particular rice-growing area could efficiently and
effectively control disease and pest infestation?
26-30. Explain the importance of cutting or stopping the life cycle of
diseases, insect and other pests in organic rice farming.
31-35 How managing the environmental setting of the rice field prevent and
control pests and diseases infestation?
36-40. How harvesting the rice crop at the right maturity stage could
contribute in quality and quantity of the yield or harvest?

REFERENCES:
Reddy, Jagdish, Reddy (2020)
https:www.agri farming.in

Reviewed and Evaluated by:

ANGELITA M. ORENDAIN
BTLEd Program Chairperson