Land Preparation

Well-leveled Field
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 What do you observe in
the two pictures?
Which seems well- What are the benefits of
leveled, A or B? Why? a well-leveled field?

A B
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 Importance of a Well-leveled Field

• Less weed incidence

• Better snail
management
• Efficient nutrient
utilization
• Uniform crop growth &
A well-leveled field maturity;
is a pre-requisite to • Timely harvesting
GOOD WATER & • Efficient use of water &
CROP MANAGEMENT. application of controlled
irrigation practices
• Efficient use of farm
machinery

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 If field is not well-leveled...
5% Y
i
redu eld
ction

• more water is needed to drench the soil, reducing water

use and time efficiency.
• there is increased weed incidence, difficulty in managing
snails, proper nutrient utilization, uneven crop growth
and maturity that results to inefficient use of water,
reduced grain quality, and yield reduction.
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 Assessment of a Well-leveled Field

No high and low soil spots after final leveling:

• No portion has more than 5 cm
of water depth.
• No mound of soil can be seen
above the [5 cm] water surface
after final land leveling.

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 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field
1. Clean & repair dikes & ditches.
• Clean dikes help
prevent/control pests.
• Compacted dikes prevent
seepage.
• Dikes maintained at 15 cm
high by 20 cm wide prevent
rat burrowing.
• Ditches ensure even water
distribution & drainage.

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RICE COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND
 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field
2. Plow or rotavate field 21-30 days before planting.
• allots time for the
germination of weed seeds &
drop seeds
• incorporates plant residues
(e.g. weeds, rice straw, &
stubbles) to allow time for
decomposition
• controls pests and water
flow

If organic materials are not fully decomposed,

soil becomes acidic & some nutrients become
less available.
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 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field
3. Harrow field twice at 1 week interval.
• breaks the soil clods
• incorporates stubbles
• allows weed seeds to
germinate
• helps reduce initial
pest population
• maintains hard pan
The first harrowing is along plowing
pattern; the second, crosswise (also
the initial leveling).
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RICE COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND
 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field
4. Level the field with a wooden plank or tiller-attached leveler.

• allows uniform
water distribution
• facilitates easier
irrigation and
drainage

Field must be filled with

5 cm water depth for ease
of leveling.
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 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field

5. For direct wet-seeded rice, construct small

canals surrounding the field near the levee & at
the middle of the field.

• provides path for excess

water
• facilitates collection of
snails
• facilitates field operations
(i.e. replanting, weeding)

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 Recommendations to Achieve a
Well-leveled Field
In summary: (3rd
1st 2nd Harrowing)
Plowing Harrowing Harrowing Final leveling
Rest period Planting

day 0 day 7 day 14 day 21

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 Input Output Outcome
Well-leveled
field
• Dikes & • Decomposed
ditches plant residues • High yield
cleaned & • Reduced pests
• High grain
repaired • Uniform crop
growth and quality
• Prepared the maturity • Minimal
field 21-30 • Efficient water damage to
days before and nutrient environment
planting uptake
• Better crop
management

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 Production Assistant:
Mr. Mark Edison Bautista

Technical Reviewers:
Dr. Aurora Corales; Dr. Arnold Juliano;
Engr. Marvin Manalang; Dr. Manuel Jose
Regalado

Courseware Reviewers:
Ms. Lea dR. Abaoag; Ms. Ev Angeles

Note:
Presentation adapted from original version
produced by PhilRice in 2011. Revisions made in
2019 based on results of a series of consultation
workshops with PhilRice R&D staff.

You may use, remix, tweak, & build upon this

presentation non-commercially. However,
always
use with acknowledgment.

Unless otherwise stated, the names listed are

PhilRice staffers.
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 Review!

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 What is the assessment for a well-leveled field?

No high & low soil spots

after final leveling:

• No portion has more than 5 cm of

water depth (≈ thumb length).
• No mound of soil can be seen above
the [5 cm] water surface after final
land leveling.

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 What are the recommendations to achieve a well-leveled
field?
repair dikes & ditches.
Clean & _______
1. _______
21-30 days before
2. Plow/rotavate field ___________
planting.
2x at 1 week interval.
3. Harrow field at least ______
Level the field with a wooden plank or
4. _________
power tiller-attached leveler.

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 Why is it important to clean and repair dikes
and ditches before planting?
• Less weed incidence
• Better snail
management
• Efficient nutrient
utilization
• Uniform crop growth &
maturity;
• Timely harvesting
• Efficient use of water &
application of controlled
irrigation practices
• Efficient use of farm
machinery
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 Why do we need to prepare the field 21-30
days before planting?

Generally, 30 days gives enough time for

weeds and drop seeds to germinate and
get destroyed through tillage (plowing,
harrowing). It is important to control the
drop seeds to lessen the source of off-types.

Also, to allow proper decomposition of

plant residues that will later add to soil
nutrients.

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 Give examples of negative effects of a
poorly-leveled field?
• Higher weed incidence
• Poor snail management
• Less efficient nutrient
utilization
• Uneven crop growth &
maturity;
• Less efficient use of water &
application of controlled
irrigation practices
• Less efficient use of farm
machinery

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 If the field is not well-leveled, what is the expected
yield reduction in percent?

Answer:

5% Yield
reduction

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 THANK YOU!
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