Rice Technology Research Articles

Farmer innovativeness and hybrid rice diffusion in Bangladesh

Hybrid rice technology was introduced in Bangladesh to meet the seed crisis caused by a devastating flood in the 1998–1999 cropping season. The rate of acceptance of hybrid rice amongst potential growers demonstrated, however, that getting a new idea adopted, even when it has obvious advantages, is challenging. The rate of adoption continues to be limited. In order to have an insight into the diffusion scenario of hybrid rice technology, we conducted the present research to: (i) identify the channel used for the diffusion of hybrid rice; (ii) determine the diffusion pattern of hybrid rice in Bangladesh and characterize rice farmers by their stage of adoption, following Rogers' model; and to (iii) explore the influence of selected characteristics of the rice growers in influencing farmers' innovativeness. A concurrent embedded design using a cross sectional survey was employed. The study was conducted in five regions of Bangladesh. The population of this study consisted of rice growers of the boro season. A multistage stratified random sampling design was employed in selecting the sample of 425 farmers. Data was collected through face–to–face interviews with the sampled farmers using a pre-tested and back translated questionnaire. Data confirm that the most frequently used channel from which farmers first became informed about hybrid rice was TV, followed by dealer, neighboring farmers and Agricultural Extension Office. The diffusion pattern of hybrid rice approaches a normal distribution or S- shaped cumulative distribution as proposed by Rogers. Adopter categories made in this study differ significantly, confirming to diffusion theory and empirical literature. Regression results show that farm size, availability of the promotional efforts, perception of risk in cultivating hybrid rice, and attitude towards hybrid rice was significant predictors of the farmers' innovativeness. The findings of the study might help planners and extension workers to consider refining their working procedure and policy guidelines for accelerating the rate of the adoption of hybrid rice in Bangladesh and beyond.

A Bayesian method to support global out-scaling of water-efficient rice technologies from pilot project areas

ABSTRACTThis article present a Bayesian probabilistic method to support out-scaling of technologies from pilot projects. The method is applied to aerobic rice, a water-saving technology with probable global potential. The method assumes that areas similar to pilot sites are more likely to adopt than those that are different or unfavourable. Similarity is defined from climate, landscape and socio-economic attributes. Favourability is further evaluated by project specialists. Scaling out is not a simple linear process, so the method is proposed as a complement to learning processes. Results can support prioritization and strategic planning over specific geographic areas.

Role of Direct Sown Rice Technology for Conservation of Water Resources in Punjab-A Case Study of Amritsar District

India has the largest area under rice crop (about 45 million ha.) and it occupies 23.3 per cent of gross cropped area of the country. The intensive use of water in traditional transplanted rice (TTR) cultivation in northwest Indo Gangetic plains is depleting aquifers. Paddy crop contributes a lot in the agricultural economy of the Punjab state but it was observed in the study that 79.41 per cent of irrigation water being contributed to the production of rice in Amritsar district. As a result of over exploitation of ground water the water table was declined and the ground water development reached to 152 per cent in the district. The use of ground water in the months of May and June was highly important for ground water resource management in the district and it was observed that less than 60 mm rain during the months of May and June contributed negative impact on the ground water situation in the district. It was realized in the study that DSR is a viable alternative to TTR and helpful to overcome the problem of water shortage and labour over TTR as it saves 52.41 (before July) and 21.22 (overall) per cent of irrigations applied. Therefore with the support of the govt, cooperatives and farmers participation; DSR can become a successful alternative to the TTR for optimum use of water resources of Punjab.

Progress in partitioning of rice germplasm into restorers and maintainers for utilization in hybrid rice technology: A review

Progress in partitioning of rice germplasm into restorers and maintainers for utilization in hybrid rice technology: A review

Evaluation of genotypes for fertility restoring and maintaining behaviour for development of potential rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids in tarai region

Hybrid rice technology is aneffective way for increasing rice production to meet the future rice demands of growing population. Inadequate numbers of restorer and maintainer lines are the major constrains for the development of location-specific rice hybrids. Present investigation involves the identification of restorers and maintainers for tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Under this study, three cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and 43 elite rice genotypes from diverse source of origin were crossed in line × tester fashion and test crosses were evaluated in order to identify potential restorers and maintainers. Genotypes were categorized as restorers (> 80% spikelet fertility), partial restorers (20 to 79% spikelet fertility), partial maintainers (10–20% spikelet fertility) and maintainers (< 10% spikelet fertility). The F1’s expressed different fertility reactions with different CMS lines of the same cytoplasmic source. Out of 45 male lines UPR 3764-5-13 and UPR 3744-7-1-1 behaved as maintainer with two CMS lines and IR 09N522 and CT 19533-3-4-2-2P-2P found restorer with all the CMS lines. The identified maintainers and restorers can play a pivotal role in hybrid rice development.

Development of broad‐spectrum bacterial blight resistance into thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile lines

AbstractTwo‐line hybrid rice technology is an effective way to increase rice production and improve rice quality. In this study, three bacterial blight (BB) resistance genes, Xa7, Xa21 and Xa23, were introgressed separately into C815S, a popular thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line to develop five BB‐resistant lines (Hua1005S, Hua1002S, Hua1009S, Hua1006S and Hua1001S) to be resistant against seven races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The two‐line hybrids with heterozygous Xa23 were resistant against seven Xoo strains. But, the hybrids with heterozygous loci for both Xa7 and Xa21 were only resistant against three Xoo strains and were moderately susceptible to the other four strains indicating the role of modifiers influencing the poor expression of dominant BB resistance genes under heterozygous state. Among them, Hua1006S was found to be a promising TGMS line with its higher degree of disease resistance level on account of broad‐spectrum resistance gene Xa23 besides possessing better plant type and rice grain quality features.

Farming Practices of Rice Farmers in Can-Avid and Dolores, Eastern Samar

The research aimed to account for the rice technologies practiced by farmers of Canavid and Dolores, Eastern Samar. These two municipalities are considered as the rice major product owns of Eastern Samar. It sought to determine the degree of adoption of modern and indigenous rice technologies and to identify the problems met by the farmers in using said technologies. A total of 57 farmers served as respondents. Percentage, means, ranks and ranges were used to analyse the data. The mean age of the respondents was 54.94 years old with intermediate as the highest educational attainment with 5.43 years of formal schooling. Majority were married with 17.68averageyearsof farming. The average farm size was 1.26 has. The respondents prepared their rice field by trampling, use of native seeds and by winnowing basket in cleaning the palay with a weighted mean score of 2.04, 2.5, and 2.23 respectively. Results also revealed that 71.05 percent were unsuccessful and 28.93 percent were successful or highly motivated while majority of the modern rice farmers were considered successful or highly motivated (67%). Lack of knowledge and skills about rice farming, farm implements, and limited capital were the problems met by farmers.

Knowledge Sharing Behavior of Rice Farmers in the Cyber-Villages

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has established cyber-villages in an effort to speed up dissemination and adoption of rice technologies. How farmers share information obtained from the sources is less documented. In this paper, we present an analysis of the knowledge sharing behavior of rice farmers in the Cyber-villages — the communities assisted by IRRI for its innovative technology transfer modalities in Infanta, Quezon. The study involved 76 rice farmers from three LGU- and three NGO-managed barangays. Results revealed that both LGU-managed and NGO-managed cyber-village farmers had highly positive knowledge seeking behavior and moderately positive knowledge donating behavior. It indicated that they were more of knowledge seekers than knowledge donors. The latent networks are predominantly star and linear chain, characterized by sparse central hubs and non-reciprocated ties. The central actors are limited to the intermediaries, farmer-leaders, and emerging farmer-consultants.

Assessing Biotic and Abiotic Constraints to Upland Rice Cultivation in Cameroon

A study was conducted to investigate the major biotic and abiotic production constraints of upland rice varieties in the three rice development hubs of Cameroon. Fifty randomly selected farmers from each rice hub namely Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. On-farm visits and group discussions with other rice farmers were used to substantiate information obtained from the individually interviewed farmers. It was observed that NERICA 3 and NERICA 8 were the dominant varieties widely cultivated by farmers with an average productivity of <1.0 t/ha. Birds, weeds, low soil fertility, disease and drought were the main culprits limiting upland rice production. The contribution of these constraints to total yield loss varied significantly (p<0.05) across the rice hubs and ranged from 10% to 40%. Several agronomic, chemical and physical control measures were used by farmers to address these constraints but the most innovative strategy was the use of plastic hawks to mimic normal hawks that are predators to birds. It is recommended that researcher-farmer trials should be conducted to facilitate the effective transfer of upland rice technology to farmers, particularly with respect to variety use, fertilizer Original Research Article Ngome et al.; JAERI, 3(1): 33-40, 2015; Article no.JAERI.2015.029 34 application and harvesting time. This will undoubtedly facilitate adoption of upland rice technology and hence boost rice production in Cameroon.

The Agroecosystem of Thai Rice: a Review

The production, distribution and consumption of Thai rice is charac- terized by diversity at many levels, from rice farmers with different access to resource endowment and modern technology, the world of rice eaters who demand different types of rice, to a vast and genetically diverse rice gene pool. This paper examines the complexity that has contributed to shaping the unique development of Thai rice, which should have significant implications for its future. Continuing growth of production and export since the 1960s has given the lie to an erroneous yet common belief that rice farming in Thailand is non-viable as an economic enterprise and that rice farmers are increasingly impoverished. Irrigation and modern rice technology combined with larger farm size, which drove production and export growth, have also enabled many to make a decent living from rice farming. The payout from the government's rice pledging scheme, which went mostly to rich farmers instead of the poor farmers it professed to help, is highlighted to illustrate the need for agricul- tural policies to be more precisely targeted. Thai rice, exported to some 160 countries and territories, now feeds more people globally than within Thailand. Far from being a simple outflow of surplus, the international trade of Thai rice has contributed to shaping its production in major ways, as exemplified by the case of parboiled rice, which is almost unknown in Thailand, yet accounts for one third of the country's rice export. With the aid of machinery powered by fossil energy, modern rice technology and chemical inputs, a farm laborer today produces 12 times as much rice as when rice farming relied solely on human and animal power. In addition to labor cost savings, mechanization has also increased the efficiency of rice production with timely completion of crop management operations, increased the value of the harvest with improved grain quality and brought economies of scale by increasing the farm size individual farmers can manage. In common with other rice growing countries, Thailand has benefited from the genetic improvement embodied in modern, high-yielding rice varieties, but only when deployed together with traits from the Thai rice germplasm to satisfy stringent local requirements. The primary gene pool of Thai rice includes not only cultivated rice (Oryza sativa), but also common wild rice (O. rufipogon). Emergence of weedy rice (O. sativa f. spontanea), a hybrid progeny of the cultivated and wild species, as a serious weed in rice fields serves as a reminder that introduction of novel technology and genes, such as

Identifying irrigation and nitrogen best management practices for aerobic rice–maize cropping system for semi-arid tropics using CERES-rice and maize models

Research based development of best management options for aerobic rice–maize cropping systems must be developed to improve water and nitrogen use efficiency. The main objective of this study was to identify water saving rice production technology for rice grown in sandy loam soils in semi-arid conditions using the calibrated CERES-Rice and Maize models of the Decision Support System for Agro Technology Transfer (DSSAT). A two-year experiment with two different crop establishment methods viz., aerobic rice and flooded rice with four nitrogen rates followed by maize under zero tilled conditions was used to calibrate and evaluate DSSAT CERES-Rice and CERES-Maize models. The calibrated models were used to develop best management options for an aerobic rice–maize sequence which can produce similar yields with water savings relative to that of traditional flooded rice–maize system. The results showed that application of 180kgNha−1 in four splits and automatic irrigation with 40mm, when soil available water (ASW) in top 30cm fell below to 60% was the best management combination for aerobic rice, saving 41% of water while producing 96% of the yield attainable under flooded conditions. Similarly for maize, application of 120kgNha−1 and irrigation with 30mm of water at 40% ASW in the top 30cm soil was the most dominant management option. Further, application of 180kgNha−1 with rice followed by 120kgNha−1 in maize provided stable yield for both aerobic and flooded rice systems over time as simulated by the model. The results illustrate that DSSAT model is a useful tool for evaluating alternative management options aimed at maintaining yields and saving water in rice–maize systems in semi-arid regions.

Rice responses to rising temperatures--challenges, perspectives and future directions.

Phenotypic plasticity in overcoming heat stress-induced damage across hot tropical rice-growing regions is predominantly governed by relative humidity. Expression of transpiration cooling, an effective heat-avoiding mechanism, will diminish with the transition from fully flooded paddies to water-saving technologies, such as direct-seeded and aerobic rice cultivation, thus further aggravating stress damage. This change can potentially introduce greater sensitivity to previously unaffected developmental stages such as floral meristem (panicle) initiation and spikelet differentiation, and further intensify vulnerability at the known sensitive gametogenesis and flowering stages. More than the mean temperature rise, increased variability and a more rapid increase in nighttime temperature compared with the daytime maximum present a greater challenge. This review addresses (1) the importance of vapour pressure deficit under fully flooded paddies and increased vulnerability of rice production to heat stress or intermittent occurrence of combined heat and drought stress under emerging water-saving rice technologies; (2) the major disconnect with high night temperature response between field and controlled environments in terms of spikelet sterility; (3) highlights the most important mechanisms that affect key grain quality parameters, such as chalk formation under heat stress; and finally (4), we model and estimate heat stress-induced spikelet sterility taking South Asia as a case study.

Modern Rice Technologies and Productivity in the Philippines: Disentangling Technology from Managerial Gaps

AbstractUsing cross‐sectional farm‐level data from 3,164 rice‐farming households in the Philippines, we measure the impact of modern rice technologies on farm productivity while disentangling technology gaps (the distance between production frontiers) from managerial gaps (differences in technical efficiency). To do so, we combine a recently developed stochastic production frontier framework with impact evaluation techniques to control for biases stemming from observables and unobservables. First, we find an adequate control group using propensity score matching to mitigate the effect of biases from observable variables. Then, we test for biases that might arise from unobserved variables using a stochastic frontier framework corrected for self‐selection. Finally, we estimate meta‐frontiers to assess productivity differences between adopters and non‐adopters. The analysis shows that the adoption of certified seeds has a significant and positive impact on productivity, efficiency and net income in rice farming.

Sistem Mekanisasi Padi Aerob

For the success of aerobic rice cultivation technology in the country, mechanization is one of the important aspects needs to be considered. Mechanization system for aerobic rice technology use to help increasing the revenue and workmanship of the operators for aerobic rice farming. Reduce labor costs, improve quality and save quality working hour is an important part of the work generated by the mechanized system. Through a system of aerobic rice mechanization, farm work such as land preparation, sowing, crop management and harvesting can be done easily and efficiently. In addition, mechanization system can also increase the pace of work and move the farmers of the aerobic rice paddy farming methods towards the modernization agriculture practice.

The impact of herbicide-resistant rice technology on phenotypic diversity and population structure of United States weedy rice.

The use of herbicide-resistant (HR) Clearfield rice (Oryza sativa) to control weedy rice has increased in the past 12 years to constitute about 60% of rice acreage in Arkansas, where most U.S. rice is grown. To assess the impact of HR cultivated rice on the herbicide resistance and population structure of weedy rice, weedy samples were collected from commercial fields with a history of Clearfield rice. Panicles from each weedy type were harvested and tested for resistance to imazethapyr. The majority of plants sampled had at least 20% resistant offspring. These resistant weeds were 97 to 199 cm tall and initiated flowering from 78 to 128 d, generally later than recorded for accessions collected prior to the widespread use of Clearfield rice (i.e. historical accessions). Whereas the majority (70%) of historical accessions had straw-colored hulls, only 30% of contemporary HR weedy rice had straw-colored hulls. Analysis of genotyping-by-sequencing data showed that HR weeds were not genetically structured according to hull color, whereas historical weedy rice was separated into straw-hull and black-hull populations. A significant portion of the local rice crop genome was introgressed into HR weedy rice, which was rare in historical weedy accessions. Admixture analyses showed that HR weeds tend to possess crop haplotypes in the portion of chromosome 2 containing the ACETOLACTATE SYNTHASE gene, which confers herbicide resistance to Clearfield rice. Thus, U.S. HR weedy rice is a distinct population relative to historical weedy rice and shows modifications in morphology and phenology that are relevant to weed management.

Adoption of Rice Technologies Introduced by the United States Agency for International Development in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria

The study determined the levels of adoption of improved rice technologies introduced by USAID MARKETS project phase one in Anambra and Ebonyi States, Nigeria. The population of the study included all project participant rice farmers of USAID MARKETS project in both Anambra and Ebonyi States. A total sample of 80 respondents (40 project farmers from each state) were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used for data collection, while percentage and mean statistics were used to analyze data. The results of the study revealed that mean ages of the project farmers (PFs) was 46.56years while 86% of the PFs were literate and the mean rice farming experience was 22 years. The mean total rice farm land owned by PFs was 2.99 hectares mainly on rented basis, while majority got information on rice production and processing from the project. The project farmers highly adopted the following innovations; use of FARO 44 seed variety, carrying out a seed germination test before planting, carrying out appropriate land preparation using either manual or machinery (tractor), seed broadcasting on wet field and upland rice, use of herbicide and storage of paddy produce (packing bagged rice grains in cool dry, fumigated and aerated conditions).Keywords: Adoption, USAID, Rice Project

Participatory varietal selection: an approach used for the selection of lowland NERICA varieties in Niger

A process of diffusion of new rice varieties called participatory varietal selection (PVS) through participatory varietal testing was adopted in this study. The objective of this study was to introduce a participatory approach in using new rice varieties including NERICA to improve the productivity of rice in Niger. Six intra and inter specific varieties of rice and a local control (IR1529) were evaluated on the agronomic, socio-economic and technological traits. The tested varieties were WAS 4-B-B-9-1-4-TGR 48, NERICA-L-16, WAS 114-B-IDSA-B-WAS-1-1-TGR 144, WAS 173-B-B-13 - 7-TGR21, NERICA-L-39, NERICA-L-49. The tests were conducted on irrigated perimeters of Karma, Diambala and Sébéry during the dry and rainy seasons of 2006. The results of individual assessments highlighted two NERICA varieties: NERICA-L-49 and NERICA-L-39 and one intra-specific, WAS 4-BB-9-1-4-TGR 48. These varieties were selected for their high production potential (6 to 7 T/ha in rural areas) and quality (good taste, good ability for processing, etc.). These varieties were approved in 2007. These new varieties were registered in national catalogue of plant species and varieties in 2012. Currently these varieties are disseminated on all irrigation schemes of Niger. This new strategy of introduction and diffusion of new technologies involving all the stakeholders in the sector in the process of evaluating new technologies helped accelerating the adoption of new rice technologies in Niger.Keywords: Rice, NERICA, yield, PVS, Niger

PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI PEMUPUKAN PADI SAWAH DI PROVINSI BENGKULU

Fertilizing is one of strategy to improve crops productivity because it provides nutrient for the plant. This paper aims to analyze the implementation of fertilizing technology for field rice. The study was conducted from May-July 2012 in four districts that were North Bengkulu, Central Bengkulu, South Bengkulu and Kepahiang. Data was collected by survey method using questionnaire to 261 respondents. Statistic analysis using Chi quadrate was used to analyze most frequent fertilizer farmer use. The study showed farmers prefer five fertilizers. The implementation of these five fertilizers was varied.majority of respondents (95%) used urea. The second preferred fertilizer was NPK (67.8%), followed by TSP (59.7%), KCL (46.3%) and organic fertilizer (34.8%). Implementation of organic fertilizer was highest in Kepahiang and South Bengkulu that also show highest land productivity. Keywords: fertilization technology, field rice, rice productivity

Heterosis and inheritance of fertility-restorer genes in rice

Three-line hybrid rice technology can increase rice yield. This study aims to identify restorers and maintainers, to estimate heterosis of hybrid rice, and to identify fertility-restorer genes of F2 populations. The analysis of 31 test crosses revealed 6 restorers and 9 maintainers based on pollen fertility. The estimation of heterosis to select superior genotypes was conducted on 12 hybrids resulting from crosses between 6 restorers and 2 male sterile lines. The results show that two hybrids had a high heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis, with yields of 7940 and 6810 kg/ha, respectively. The inheritance of fertility-restorer genes of F2 populations in crosses IR80151A/CH1 and IR80151A/CH4 was evaluated at heading to flowering stage based on pollen fertility and seed setting rate (SSR). The segregation ratio of pollen fertility was 15:1 (fertile: sterile), representing two nuclear independent dominant genes controlling the trait with sporophytic abortive fertility. The SSR, however, could not be used to study fertility-restorer genes, as it is influenced by physiological and environmental factors.

Evaluation of Growth and Yield Attributes of some Lowland Chinese Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)Varieties in the Coastal Humid Forest Zone of Nigeria.

Hybrid rice technology has been recognized as a viable approach in increasing the genetic yield. Introducing some hybrid rice varieties in the Nigerian Niger Delta region will ultimately increase national rice production, and ultimately attain self-sufficiency and food security enshrined in the country’s National Rice Policy. Field studies were carried out to evaluate the performance of four Chinese hybrid rice varieties (9you 418, 9you138, Xudao151and Xuyou601) in comparison with FARO 15, the best conventional variety in the Cross River rain forest zone of Nigeria. Result obtained showed comparative superiority of FARO 15 to the hybrids in all growth and yield components assessed. FARO 15 was taller (140 cm) with more productive tillers (11.0), had highest number of 166 spikelets plant -1 , 156.17 filled grains panicle -1 , highest filled grains ( 92.17 % ), highest 100-grain weight of 2.63g and the highest paddy yield of 5.021 t ha -1 . Despite the comparative poor performance of the hybrids, Xudao151came close to FARO 15 with grain yield of 2.987t ha -1 , indicating that further agronomic investigations on this promising hybrid could improve its yield substantially and maximize the benefits of hybrid rice cultivation in the region.