Crop Establishment Direct Seeding Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

Broadcast seeding  widely used, easy and fast  manual or mechanical weeding difficult to use Row Seeding  not common as common as broadcasting  better control of seed rate  manual or mechanical weeding could be used Direct Seeding

Broadcast seeding  Direct wet seeding  Direct dry seeding  Modified dry direct seeding Row Seeding  Drum seeding Direct Seeding

Broadcast seeding  Select a variety that is suitable for direct wet seeding. Direct wet seeded rice  Prepare the field thoroughly for the crop to have an initial head start over weeds. Weeds are more competitive in direct seeding since they grow simultaneously with the crop.

 After soaking for 24 hours and incubating for hours, air dry the seeds before seeding for easier broadcasting. Use a rate of kg/ha. Direct wet seeded rice  At the time of broadcasting, saturate the field but do not allow any standing water.  Flash irrigate the field 3 days after broadcasting to re-saturate the soil. Broadcast seeding

Direct wet seeded rice Broadcast seeding  When necessary, hand-weed DAS to eliminate weeds that survived herbicide treatment or use post- emergence herbicides.  Herbicides may be applied 5-6 days after broadcasting the seeds for more effective weed control. Apply pre- emergence herbicide based on manufacturers for more effective weed control.

Direct dry seeded rice  Prepare the field thoroughly.  Repair dikes during land preparation to impound water in the paddies.  Sow the seeds immediately after the final land preparation by drum seeding or broadcasting. Use kg/ha. Cover the seeds by harrowing. Broadcast seeding

Direct dry seeded rice  Apply herbicide immediately after a rainfall following seeding. Repeat application of the following rainfall to ensure success if the field is weedy. Broadcast seeding  Apply 1/2 of the recommended fertilizer rate DAS and the remaining 1/2 at DAS.

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Prepare the land just after harvesting the dry season crop. Plow and harrow.  Let the weeds grow. Plow and harrow again. Broadcast seeding

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Apply 10 bags organic fertilizer, 28 kg NPK during the final land preparation.  Construct furrows with a distance of 20 cm. Broadcast seeding

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Prepare kg of seeds of an early- maturing and drought-resistant variety such as PSB Rc12 and Rc14. Broadcast seeding  Soak the seeds for 8-12 hrs and incubate for 8-12 hrs also.

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Sow the seeds when a whitish growth appears at the base of the seeds.  Sow the pre- germinated seeds when the soil moisture is about 20 cm deep. Broadcast seeding

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Pass a wooden plank diagonally across the field to cover the seeds and for seeds falling on top of the ridge to fall along the furrows. Broadcast seeding

Modified Direct Dry Seeding  Spray herbicide 1-2 days after sowing. Be sure that the soil is moist. Broadcast seeding  Practice the same cultural practices for transplanted rice after the seeds germinate.

Broadcast seeding  Direct wet seeding  Direct dry seeding  Modified dry direct seeding Row Seeding  Drum seeding Direct Seeding

Drum seeding Row seeding 1. Puddle and level the field thoroughly. 2. Pre-germinate the seeds but do not let the roots and shoots become too long. 3. Air-dry the pre-germinated seeds in the shade for about minutes before seeding to facilitate separation of the seeds. Wet seeds tend to stick and this affects the metering accuracy of the machine.

Drum seeding Row seeding 4.Before seeding, drain excess water but do not let the soil surface become dry. Construct small canals along the side of the paddy to facilitate draining of water. 5. Place the seeds into the drum cylinders up to the level in which the shafting is just slightly covered. At this level, the seeds can still roll inside the cylinder when the drum rotates.

Drum seeding Row seeding 6. Adjust the seeder to the desired seeding rate (40 or 80 kg/ha). This can be adjusted by covering one line of rows in the drum cylinders with a rubber band provided on the cylinder.

Drum seeding Row seeding 7. For manually drawn seeder, position the seeder in a corner with straight levees and along the longest side of the paddy. For hand tractor drawn seeder, leave space at the sides enough for one pass (this will be seeded last at the end of every paddy).

Drum seeding Row seeding 8.Sow the seeds with drum seeder by walking at steady speed. 9.Reposition the seeder for the return pass by setting the first rows annexed to the row of the first pass (usually at 20 cm space) and continue the headlands of the field. 10.Seed filling can be done during the break of the operation at the headlands.

Drum seeding Row seeding 11.Do not irrigate the field after seeding. Flash irrigation can be done when the field is about to crack. 12. Follow the recommended procedure for pre and post emergence herbicides for direct seeding or use rotary weeder if desired at DAS. 13. Apply fertilizer at 10 DAS with minimal floodwater or before using the weeder to incorporate the fertilizer and ensure maximum efficiency.

Crop Establishment Direct Seeding

CREDITS Instructional presentation designer: Ms. Ev Parac Sources of technical content/reviewers of presentation: Ms. Glenn Ilar Note: Adapted from powerpoint presentations developed by: Mr. Salvador Yabes 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: