Upland Rice Cultivation Research Articles

Integrated nutrient management on performance of rice in terraced land

Twelve treatments involving N, P and K (NPK) fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), poultry litter, forest litter, Azospirillum and Zn either alone or in combinations were applied continuously for ten years to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on performance of upland rice in a terraced land. The plant height, numbers of tillers and productive tillers increased significantly in all the treatments whereas, grain yield increased significantly in all the treatments except ½N+PK and Forest litter burned+½ FYM over control. Among different nutrient management practices, NPK+Poultry litter produced maximum grain and straw yield. The grain yield in NPK+Poultry litter, NPK+FYM+Zn, NPK+FYM and NPK+Forest litter increased significantly (55.9, 45.7, 37.0 and 29.8%, respectively) as compared to addition of NPK alone. Increase in straw yield in different nutrient management practices ranged from 22.0 to 130.0%. The uptake of N, P and K was significantly higher in treatments where NPK was added with FYM and poultry litter. The average contribution towards apparent recovery of N, P and K from FYM was 36.4, 56.2 and 69.2%; from poultry litter 43.5, 27.7 and 85.9%; and from forest litter 80.4, 98.8 and 44.7%, respectively. After a decade of continuous cultivation, NPK+Poultry litter was found to be the best nutrient management practice that can be adopted for cultivation of upland rice on terraced land followed by NPK+FYM+Zn and NPK+FYM.

Water Response of Upland Rice Varieties Adopted in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Water Application Experiment

Whether a rice Green Revolution in sub-Saharan Africa becomes a reality critically hinges on how far productive upland rice cultivation diffuses in the region. In order to quantify the drought tolerance, the rate of water response and the contribution of yield components to changes in yield due to water availability of upland rice varieties used in sub-Saharan Africa, we conducted water application experiments in Namulonge, Uganda, using NERICA 4, NERICA 10, NARIC 2 and Yumenohatamochi, with five different levels of water application. We found that the NERICA varieties were most drought tolerant, followed by NARIC 2. Yumenohatamochi did not withstand the lowest amount of water application of 378 mm. The results suggested that the minimum water requirement was around 311-400 mm per season for the three varieties used widely in East Africa, and around 420-600 mm for Yumenohatamochi, an upland variety in Japan famous in its drought tolerance. It was estimated that an additional water application of 1 mm increased rice yield by 11-12 kg /ha for the upland varieties tested. The high water response of upland rice was brought about by high water response of four yield components, among which the rate of grain filling contributed most to the increase in yield, followed by number of panicles/m2, number of grains per panicle and 1000- grain weight, in the order of the degree of contribution, for all the varieties tested.

Connecting Upland Peasants to Markets and Socio-Cultural Change in Bolaven Plateau, Southern Part of Laos

This article focuses on the impact of government policies to connect upland areas with markets by extensive infrastructure expansion. The upland areas in which most of peasants have long sustained their live from subsistence agriculture were exposed to the market oriented policies, and thus have to adapt to these changes. By applying concepts of political ecology, cultural ecology and peasants, this article presents a study about the socio-cultural change of upland peasants in one village at Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. It illustrated an empirical analysis of factors of socio-cultural changes in the upland societies. Under various forces of changes, the peasant’s reactions were to shift from a traditional subsistence base into four modes of production: (1) upland rice cultivation mixed with cash crops, (2) subsistence crops with part time laborers, (3) full commercial crops and 4) wage laborers. In addition, the study found that the adaptations of peasants differed by ethnicity. Different ethnics adapted to the changes at different speeds but the trend went in the same direction from subsistence to commercial agriculture. The indigenous ethnic groups (Laven and Yaheun) preserved their subsistence-based agriculture with gradual attempts at cash crops, while the other groups (mainly new comers such as Lao, Taoi and Kmu) focused on a cash-oriented production.

Water Response of Upland Rice Varieties Adopted in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Water Application Experiment

Whether a rice Green Revolution in sub-Saharan Africa becomes a reality critically hinges on how far productive upland rice cultivation diffuses in the region. In order to quantify the drought tolerance, the rate of water response and the contribution of yield components to changes in yield due to water availability of upland rice varieties used in sub-Saharan Africa, we conducted water application experiments in Namulonge, Uganda, using NERICA 4, NERICA 10, NARIC 2 and Yumenohatamochi, with five different levels of water application. We found that the NERICA varieties were most drought tolerant, followed by NARIC 2. Yumenohatamochi did not withstand the lowest amount of water application of 378 mm. The results suggested that the minimum water requirement was around 311-400 mm per season for the three varieties used widely in East Africa, and around 420-600 mm for Yumenohatamochi, an upland variety in Japan famous in its drought tolerance. It was estimated that an additional water application of 1 mm increased rice yield by 11-12 kg /ha for the upland varieties tested. The high water response of upland rice was brought about by high water response of four yield components, among which the rate of grain filling contributed most to the increase in yield, followed by number of panicles/m2, number of grains per panicle and 1000- grain weight, in the order of the degree of contribution, for all the varieties tested.

Feasibility Analysis of Mechanized Upland Rice Cultivation in Mountainous Area

Continuous seasonal drought in past 3 years greatly affects rice production of Yunnan, China. Because upland rice has stronger performance than paddy rice for mountain farming, to develop mechanized production of upland rice is more beneficial to ensure food security of mountainous area. In this study, we investigate and survey traditional upland rice cultivation of peasant household in mountainous rural area of Lancang county, and use Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the relationship between mechanized and non-mechanized upland rice cultivation. The results show that mechanized upland rice cultivation not only can increase the yield, but also is superior to non-mechanized system in techno-economics. Rational utilizing farm machinery is feasible to upland rice cultivation and will promote the development of the rice production of Yunnan Province.

IAC 203 and IAC 204: new upland rice varieties for the State of São Paulo

The release of good yielding cultivars, which present low height, short cycle and responsiveness to new technologies, supports modern agriculture. The cultivars IAC 203 and IAC 204 are new options for upland rice cultivation for the State of São Paulo.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SMALL HOLDER RICE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN EBONYI STATE SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Economic analysis of Upland and Swamp rice production in Ebonyi State, South east Nigeria was studied and analyzed in 2011 farming season. Purposive and multistage random sampling technique was used to select agricultural blocks, circles and rice farmers. The sample size was 240 rice farmers (120 Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Upland rice contact farmers and 120 Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Swamp contact rice farmers). Data for the analysis were collected from a structured questionnaire. The result indicates that mean ages of upland rice farmers was 37.3 years while swamp rice farmers had 39.2 years. The mean farming experience for both farmers were 8.5 years (upland rice farmers) and 8.8 years (swamp rice farmers) with farm sizes of 1.2 and 1.1 hectares for upland rice farmers and swamp rice farmers respectively. Upland rice farmers had an annual farm income of 189,410.00 NGN (1,222USD) as against 201,166.00 NGN (1,297.85USD) for Swamp rice farmers. The multiple regression (Cobb Douglas) estimates of the determinants of output of upland rice showed that coefficients age, farming experience, farm size, variable inputs and farm income were positively signed at given levels of probability while capital inputs was negative. The Cobb Douglas regression estimates of the determinants of output of Swamp rice showed that the coefficients of education, labour cost, farm size, variable inputs and farm income were positively signed and significant at given levels of probability as well as capital inputs which was negative. The result indicates that net profit from Upland rice cultivation was 92,800.00 NGN (598.71USD) with a Benefit Cost Ratio of N1.55 (1.56USD). The net profit from Swamp rice cultivation was 132,090.00 NGN (852.19USD) and a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.75 NGN (1.75USD). Access to credit to rice farmers, subsidy on farm inputs, dissemination of improved rice technologies by extension agents and formation of farmer groups were advocated for increased rice production.

Upland rice varieties for the highlands of Madagascar: Review of a 25-year-long breeding program

In Madagascar, rice is a staple crop and food. The highland region is densely populated. Farmers traditionally grow irrigated rice. However, further expansion of new irrigated rice fields is almost impossible. In order to meet the growing demand for rice, FOFIFA and CIRAD joined efforts in the 80s to create upland rice varieties adapted to high altitudes (above 1,300m). The first varieties bred were released as early as the mid 1990s and allowed the beginning of upland rice cultivation in the high altitude areas of Vakinankaratra. Unfortunately, blast disease rapidly bypassed the resistance of these first varieties of narrow genetic basis. The genetic basis was thus broadened with blast resistance being considered as a major selection trait. Since the beginning, about fifteen cold tolerant varieties have been released, pushing the frontier of upland rice cultivation to beyond 1,800m asl. Twenty five years later, starting from zero, upland rice is everywhere in the landscape. We here present the results of the high altitude upland rice varietal improvement program, the last development of this program and the most recent data on upland rice diffusion in the Vakinankaratra region in the central Highlands of Madagascar.

Ciclagem de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura e produtividade de soja e arroz em plantio direto

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ciclagem de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura e a sua influência sobre o desempenho da rotação entre arroz de terras altas e soja. As culturas foram implantadas sob plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, na região do Cerrado de Goiás. As plantas de cobertura foram semeadas mecanicamente, também em plantio direto, após a colheita da soja (25/3/2008) e do arroz (7/4/2009). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram das seguintes espécies de plantas de cobertura, além do pousio: Urochloa ruziziensis, U. brizantha, Pennisetum glaucum e U. ruziziensis + Cajanus cajan. A avaliação dos nutrientes remanescentes na palhada foi feita aos: 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias a partir da data da dessecação das plantas de cobertura. Urochloa ruziziensis e U. brizantha apresentaram maior eficiência no acúmulo e na liberação de nutrientes, principalmente quanto ao potássio. Urochloa ruziziensis é a espécie mais indicada como planta de cobertura antecessora à cultura do arroz de terras altas, em plantio direto. No entanto, nenhuma espécie de cobertura afeta significativamente a produtividade de grãos da soja.

Long-term soil carbon loss and accumulation in a catchment following the conversion of forest to arable land in northern Laos

Quantifying the magnitude of soil organic carbon loss linked to the conversion of forest to arable land in tropical environments requires long-term estimates of soil redistribution trends within the catchment. In order to assess the cumulative soil carbon loss that occurred since deforestation and cropping started in 1967, a multidisciplinary study was carried out in a small catchment (67ha) with a swamp area in its middle part, characterized by steep slopes under shifting cultivation of upland rice, typical for northern Laos's landscapes. Using 137Cs and total organic carbon (TOC) inventories, it was possible to estimate a soil TOC depletion rate of 0.039kgCm−2yr−1 in 42 years (1963–2005), corresponding to ca. 21% of its initial content in the top 10cm. Because farmers preferred clearing more fertile soils located downhill and leave forest on poorer soils on the crests, the redistribution of 137Cs and TOC along slopes of the catchment was mainly controlled by the topographic position of soils and the cultivation frequency. Estimates of soil TOC accumulation in wetlands with δ13C measurements and sediment volumes by electrical resistivity tomography showed that TOC accumulation rates were linked to land use change since the 1960s with three successive periods corresponding to undisturbed forest, deforestation-first rice crop and rice-fallow rotations. Forest clearing triggered a higher soil TOC delivery to the swamp (19.6±5.5kgCha−1yr−1) over 8 years (1967–1975) than the former undisturbed forest (8.5±1.8kgCha−1yr−1) and crop-fallow rotations over 30 years (1975–2005, 6.4±4.8kgCha−1yr−1). Due to the small size of the area covered by the swamp, only a limited fraction of eroded soil organic carbon (ca. 7wt.%) was stored in wetlands of the catchment. Mineralization apparently played a key role for soil TOC depletion since first forest clearing.

Root Distribution, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield of Two Upland Rice Cultivars under Two Water Regimes

Upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation has been increasing in global importance due to the decreasing water availability for flood‐irrigated rice. The use of sprinkler irrigation to supplement rainfall and the identification of cultivars more adapted to lower water availability could be effective alternatives for producing upland rice without yield losses while using less water. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the root distribution, plant nutrition, and grain yield of two drought tolerant upland rice cultivars under two water regimes in the Cerrado Region of Brazil during two growing seasons. The main plots were two water regimes (rainfed and sprinkler‐irrigation plus rainfall). Subplots were two upland rice cultivars Carajás and IAC 201. Low water availability reduced root growth by 7% and grain yields were from 2644 to 4002 kg ha−1 on average for rainfed and sprinkler irrigation treatments, respectively. Carajás had a significantly better root distribution, nutrient uptake, and higher grain yield (3732 kg ha−1) compared with IAC 201 (2914 kg ha−1) averaged over two growing seasons and water regimes. There were no treatment interactions. Our results suggest that, even when cultivars with a higher tolerance to less water availability are used, using sprinkler irrigation to augment limited rainfall during dry periods may be a viable method to increase upland rice grain yields.

The Last Swiddens of Sarawak, Malaysia

Swidden cultivation was observed to be under pressure but still persisting in many areas in Sarawak, Malaysia around 2000–2003. Since then rapid development of smallholder oil palm and rubber, continuing urbanization and rural to urban migration appear to have considerably reduced the area under swidden cultivation. With the aim of understanding the extent and impacts of this development, 55 households in three communities that were interviewed in 2002–2003 were re-interviewed in 2011. In an area with rapid oil palm development, the households engaged in smallholder oil palm production have experienced considerable improvements in income and wealth whereas the other households have experienced more limited wealth increases or even a decline in income. Many households have decreased or abandoned cultivation of upland rice, which used to be the core of the swidden cultivation system, and the upland soils in the area are now dominated by oil palm. In another area, where no oil palm development has taken place because of a hydroelectric dam, upland rice fields under swidden cultivation have also decreased and new high yielding rubber is now being planted because of the favorable rubber prices. Moreover, tourism has in this area gained further economic importance and overtaken agriculture as the main economic activity of households. The demise of swidden has not yet occurred in Sarawak, but a continued decline has been observed. However, there is a possibility that the new smallholder oil palm and rubber may provide an opportunity for a new type of ‘productive fallow’ that will allow continued cultivation of upland rice on a small scale.

The no-tillage system and cover crops—Alternatives to increase upland rice yields

Upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation has been increasing in importance in Asia while water availability for irrigation has been decreasing because of rapid growth in industry and urban centers. Therefore, the development of technologies that increase upland rice yields under aerobic conditions, thereby saving water, would be an effective strategy to avoid a decrease in global rice grain production. The use of the no-tillage system (NTS) and cover crops that maintain soil moisture would prove advantageous in the move toward sustainable agriculture. However, upland rice develops better in plowed soil, and it has been reported that this crop does not perform well under the NTS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cover crops on upland rice grain yield and yield components sowed in a NTS. A field experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2008–2009 and 2009–2010), and treatments consisted of growing rice under five cover crops in a NTS and two control treatments under the conventional tillage system (plowing once and disking twice). Treatments were carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. Our findings are as follows: On average, Brachiaria brizantha (12.32Mgha−1), Brachiaria ruziziensis (11.08Mgha−1) and Panicum maximum (11.62Mgha−1) had outstanding biomass production; however, these grasses provided the worst upland rice yields (2.30, 2.04, and 2.67Mgha−1, respectively) and are not recommended as cover crops before upland rice. Millet and fallow exhibited the fastest straw degradation (half-lives of 52 and 54 days, respectively), and millet exhibited the fastest nitrogen release (N half-life of 28 days). The use of a NTS was promising when millet was used as a cover crop; this allowed the highest upland rice yield (3.94Mgha−1) and did not statistically differ from plowed fallow (3.52Mgha−1).

Ketahanan Lapangan Padi Gogo terhadap Infeksi Curvularia oryzae

Southeast Sulawesi is known to have a wide varieties of local cultivars of upland rice. Unfortunately, resistance of those local cultivars of upland rice to Curvularia oryzae , one of the most important pathogen in upland rice cultivation, has not been reported. Resistance evaluation conducted in the field showed that local cultivars (Pae Kori, Pae Endokadia, and Pae Enggalaru) have high level of resistance, developing lines B10580E and B11580E have moderate resistance, whereas B11577E and TB368B lines were susceptible to C. oryzae infection. Key words: Curvularia oryzae , disease resistance, upland rice

Opportunities for expanding paddy rice production in Laos: spatial predictive modeling using Random Forest

To meet the growing demand for rice and to ease the pressure on mountain ecosystems in northern Laos, it has been proposed to reduce upland rice cultivation and to expand the area under paddy rice. We used Random Forest, a classification and decision-tree-based method, to characterize the areas currently under paddy cultivation, and to predict which areas are suitable for paddy. Topographic variables and accessibility to villages and roads were the most important predictors for the presence of paddy cultivation. There appears to be much land available that is suitable for expanding paddy areas in central and southern Laos but not in the north, where more than 40% of the rice area is on sloping land, and much less area is suitable. We conclude that expanding paddy-based rice production will be difficult in most parts of northern Laos.

Land-Use Strategies of Farmers in Responding to Rising Land-Use Pressures in the Southeastern Forest Region of Madagascar: A Comparative Study between Lowland Households and Hillside Households

An alternative production system to slash-and-burn cultivation is urgently required to satisfy both increasing subsistence needs and environmental conservation objectives in the rainforest region of Madagascar. This paper investigates the current land-use management practices of smallholder farmers that have faced tight land-use pressures due to rapid population growth and stricter forest protection laws. Spatio-temporal patterns of land use were analyzed for lowland and hillside households by using data obtained from a ground survey of 316 fields. Both household groups retained longer fallowing periods for upland rice cultivation (lasting 5.4 to 6.8 years) than those previously reported (of 3 to 5 years). Recent dynamic changes in the agricultural systems included bottomland saturation with irrigated paddies and a rapid transition of coffee-growing areas into slash-and-burn and terraced paddy areas, in order to meet subsistence needs. A shift in dependence from slash-andburn cultivation to lowland paddies was particularly significant among lowland households due to the expansion of terraced paddies and adoption of a double-cropping system in the irrigated lowlands. The hillside households intensified cassava cultivation in short-term fallowing periods, as also reflected by their high dependence on cassava for caloric consumption. The difference in countermeasures adopted by both household groups to deal with land-use pressures was partly due to the accessibility to extension services. The results suggest that such intervention to promote intensification in lowland paddies was apparently an effective approach to reduce dependence on slash-and-burn cultivation. Given the limited land areas in which to further expand paddy fields, higher crop productivity is needed in the future to achieve a smooth transition to an agricultural system not dependent on slash-and-burn practices. Discipline: Agricultural environment Additional key words: forest conservation, irrigated lowland, slash-and-burn, tree-based cash cropping Present address: 1 Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences(Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-

Upland rice growing: A potential solution to declining crop yields and the degradation of the Doho wetlands, Butaleja district-Uganda

The paper presents results of a study conducted among 360 small-scale paddy farmers in Butaleja District from February 2005 to February 2006 which demonstrated that paddy yields were significantly less than those reported for Upland rice varieties, which raises the question of the efficacy of paddy rice growing as an income-generating strategy, and resultant costs of degrading the Doho Wetlands. It proposes the promotion of Upland rice growing as an alternative that could not only raise incomes of local farmers but also prevent the further degradation of the Doho Wetlands (DW). Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and documentary analysis. It was established that rice yields were significantly (p<0.05) higher during the long rainy season (March to June) than during the short rainy season (August to October). The farmers within the Doho Rice Scheme (DRS) had significantly (p<0.05) higher yields than their counterparts the out-growers (OGS) and farmers in the seasonal Nambaale Wetland (NWF). Prior to the 1980s paddy rice growing significantly improved the household incomes of rural farmers in the area when yields of up to 1,000 kg/acre were attainable. However in the subsequent years, the contribution of rice growing to household incomes has sharply declined due primarily to the declining soil fertility levels, farmers’ inability to control water use, use of low yielding varieties, and poor farming practices, thereby adversely impacting on the integrity of the Doho Wetlands. It was concluded that Upland rice cultivation offers a more viable alternative to paddy rice growing as an income generating activity, which could also ensure the conservation of the Doho and surrounding wetlands. Key words: Paddy farmers, out growers, upland rice, wetland degradation, conservation.

Combined effects of Stylosanthes guianensis fallow and tillage management on upland rice yield, weeds and soils in southern Benin

Intensifying upland rice cultivation has resulted in increased weed pressure and declining soil fertility and rice yield in West Africa. Integrated crop management technologies are needed for enhancing rice productivity. A field experiment was conducted from 2006 to 2008 in a Typic Haplustult soil in southern Benin to identify the optimal seeding date of stylo relay-cropped into upland rice, and to evaluate the effects of fallow treatment and tillage management on rice yield, weed biomass and soil properties. Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo), a legume species, was used as a short-term fallow crop. Rice was grown once each year and stylo was seeded during the wet season and grown until the next rice-growing season. The effects of fallow treatment and tillage management (no-tillage vs. manual-tillage) on weed biomass during the rice-growing season were evaluated in 2007 and 2008, whereas the effects on rice yield were examined in 2007 alone. Results indicated that stylo can be established as a relay crop with upland rice about 10 days after rice seeding. Stylo fallow reduced weed biomass by 71% and 95% and increased total biomass (weed + stylo + litter) by 594% and 107% at the end of the dry seasons in 2007 and 2008, respectively. No-tillage without stylo fallow increased weed biomass by 62–202% over manual-tillage during the rice-growing seasons, whereas stylo fallow reduced weed biomass by 45–83% and 11–36%, respectively, under no-tillage and manual-tillage management. There were no significant effects of fallow treatment and tillage management on soil organic C, total N, inorganic N and extractable P. Rice yields following stylo fallow were 0.7 Mg ha−1 higher than after the natural fallow. Manual-tillage increased rice yield by 0.6 Mg ha−1 over no-tillage. Manual-tillage combined with stylo fallow can be recommended to smallholder farmers for improving upland rice productivity.

Upland Rice Cultivation in Slash and Burn Systems of Bolivia

Upland Rice Cultivation in Slash and Burn Systems of Bolivia

Response of Upland Rice Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer in the Savannas of Nigeria

In the dry savannas of West Africa, cultivation of upland rice (Oryza spp.) under rain‐fed conditions is expanding due to the introduction of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA; WARDA, Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire) but appropriate N recommendations for these new cultivars are lacking. The present study evaluated the response of four NERICA rice cultivars, their parents (WAB 56‐104 (O. sativa, tropical japonica type), CG 14 [O. glaberrima]) to four rates of N (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha−1) at Sabon‐Gari (Sudan savanna, SS) and Tilla (northern Guinea savanna, NGS) in 2007 and 2008. There was no interaction between N rates and rice cultivars for grain yield, suggesting that the rice cultivars responded similarly to N application. Grain yield of NERICA rice cultivars responded significantly to N application in the Nigerian dry savannas following a linear response, even at 90 kg N ha−1, thus optimum rate might be above this N level. NERICA 1, NERICA 3, and NERICA 4 had comparable yields and produced 1.4 to 1.7 times more grains than the other cultivars in Sabon‐Gari; while in Tilla, NERICA 4 and WAB56‐104 produced the highest yield. NERICA 1, NERICA 3, and NERICA 4 may be more suitable for cultivation in Sabon‐Gari (SS) while NERICA 4 and WAB56‐104 can be recommended for Tilla (NGS).