Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 1 :How do operations of a farm affect quality? SEED TO SEED CYCLE

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 2 :Selection of variety’s affect quality CONSIDERATIONS: RICE VARIETY SELECTION

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 3 :Three requirements of good crop management Water Management To manage water, fields must be level and bunds or levees maintained. Uniform water depth across the field will contribute to: a more uniform crop higher grain yields consistent moisture content in the grain Building bunds. REQUIREMENTS: GOOD CROP MANAGEMENT

Nutrient Management The right application levels of suitable fertilizers for the variety and growing conditions is essential. Prudent application of nitrogen is essential to get an evenly maturing crop with full grain size and high protein levels. NOTE: Excessive or uneven application of nitrogen can stimulate late tiller production which results in heads on the main culm ripening a number of days faster than the tillers. This results in more immature and green heads as well as higher moisture content that increases the chance of fissuring and spoilage. Conversely insufficient nitrogen can lead to reduced grain size and protein content. Farmers using the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) for determining appropriate Nitrogen application. Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 3 :Three requirements of good crop management REQUIREMENTS: GOOD CROP MANAGEMENT

Planting Establishing the correct plant population during planting is essential to maximize: Water efficiency Nutrient efficiency Appropriate plant density is essential to maximizing a variety's yield potential. Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 3 :Three requirements of good crop management REQUIREMENTS: GOOD CROP MANAGEMENT

IfThen the plant population is too low, the yield and quality of the variety can be reduced due to: increased tillering which increases variation in panicle maturity. increased weed populations. the plant population is too high, the yield and quality of the variety can be reduced due to: competition for water and nutrients, resulting in reduced grain size. mutual shading resulting in reduced photosynthesis. lodging (falling over of the plant). Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 3 :Three requirements of good crop management REQUIREMENTS: GOOD CROP MANAGEMENT

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 4 :Harvesting timing and threshing A farmer carrying his harvest in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. IfThen harvesting is too early, there will be many immature grains that will reduce head rice yield and quality. Further, these immature rice kernels are very slender and chalky and will result in excessive amounts of bran and broken grains. harvesting is too late, many grains are lost due to shattering or drying-out and are cracked during threshing. Cracked grains break during milling. moisture content is allowed to vary, grain fissuring (cracking) can occur, along with spoilage through yellowing and the development of odors.

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 4 :Harvesting timing and threshing Farmer threshing rice panicles in the field. SettingsValue Drum speedDrum tip speeds for a peg tooth thresher should be 12-16m/sec, or approximately 600rpm. Higher speeds result in higher levels of grain damage while lower speeds increase the amount of grain retained in the panicle. Fan speed rpm Sieve oscillation speed rpm Clearance between peg teeth and concave ~25mm

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 5 :The importance of clean paddy Why is clean paddy rice important? has a higher value than grain that is contaminated with straws, chaff, weed seeds, soil, rubbish, and other non-grain materials improves the storability of grain reduces price penalties at the time of milling improves milling output and quality.

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 5 :The importance of clean paddy Winnowing (100 kg to 3 tonnes per hour) is an important technique for cleaning grain at the farm level. If there is not enough wind, simple electric air fans can be used to separate lighter materials from the grain. A mechanical seed cleaner, capable of cleaning tonnes per hour. WINNOWING CLEANING GRAIN MECHANICALLY

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 6 :The correct moisture content for storage Wet spots in the grain due to uneven drying or weed seeds can lead to off odors and discoloration of the grain. SUNDRYING

Course:Grain Quality Module 2: Seed to Seed Quality Lesson 7 :The correct storage for paddy TraditionalHermetic Farmers often store seed and grain in claypots or woven plastic bags. Grain stored under these conditions is often exposed to moisture fluctuation, insects and rodents. Recycled oil drums and PVC containers can be used as low-cost sealed storage devices for paddy seed and grain. STORAGE METHODS