Rice Technology Bulletin Series

No. 1 Released Rice Varieties (1968 - 1994)

No. 2 Pagpaparami at Pagpupuro ng Binhi sa Sariling Bukid
No. 3 Paggawa ng Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 4 PhilRice Micromill
No. 5 PhilRice Flourmill
No. 6 PhilRice Drumseeder
No. 7 PhilRice Rototiller
No. 8 Rice Food Products
No. 9 PhilRice-UAF Batch Dryer
No. 10 Integrated Management of the Malayan Black Bug
No. 11 SG800 Rice Stripper-Harvester
No. 12 Dry-Seeded Rice-Based Cropping Technologies
No. 13 Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 14 10 Steps in Compost Production
No. 15 Rice Tungro Virus Disease
No. 16 The Philippine Rice Seed Industry and the
National Rice Seed Production Network
No. 17 10 Hakbang sa Paggawa ng Kompost
No. 18 10 nga Addang ti Panagaramid iti Kompost
No. 19 Characteristics of Popular Philippine Rice Varieties
No. 20 Rice Stem Borers in the Philippines
No. 21 Rice Food Products (revised edition)
No. 22 Leaf Color Chart (English)
No. 23 Leaf Color Chart (Ilocano)
No. 24 Leaf Color Chart (Filipino)
No. 25 Equipment for Rice Production and Processing
No. 26 Use of 40kg Certified Seeds per Hectare
No. 27 Rice Wine
No. 28 Management of Field Rats
No. 29 Controlled Irrigation: A water-saving technique for transplanted rice
No. 30 Minus-one Element Technique: Nutrient deficiency test made easy
No. 31 Management of the Rice Black Bug
No. 32 Management of Zinc-Deficient Soils
No. 33 Management Options for the Golden Apple Snail
No. 34 Use of Evaporation Suppressant
No. 35 Pagpaparami ng Purong Binhi ng Palay
No. 36 Management of Sulfur-Deficient Lowland Rice Soils
No. 37 Management of Planthoppers and Leafhoppers
No. 38 Management Options for Ricefield Weeds
No. 39 Use of Indigo as Green Manure
No. 40 Management of Salt-Affected Soils for Rice Production
No. 41 Wet-Seeded Rice Production
No. 42 Matatag Lines: Farmers’ Partners in Rice Tungro Disease Management
No. 43 Hybrid Rice Seed Production
No. 44 Metarhizium: Microbial Control Agent for Rice Black Bug
FOREWORD

Integrated nutrient management (INM) is very important in

rice production. Many of our problems on declining productivity
(increasing cost, declining yield) can be traced to improper and
inefficient use of nutrients. Improper nutrient management has
resulted in the nutrient imbalances in the soil with nutrients in
excess while other nutients depleted. Through this, farmers
can increase agricultural productivity and safeguard the
environment as they efficiently use fertilizer.

Packaged in this bulletin are information you should know

about INM ranging from the nutrients needed by the rice plant,
factors to consider in applying fertilizers to the symptoms on
nutrient deficiencies and how to manage them.

It is hoped that through this bulletin, farmers and agricultural

technologists would be able to manage nutrient application in
their farms, not only to increase yield and income, but to keep
the environment safe as well.

LEOCADIO S. SEBASTIAN
Executive Director
Introduction

R
ice plant requires an adequate supply of nutrients from various
sources for optimal growth. These nutrients are supplied by
indigenous sources such as soil minerals, soil organic matter, rice
straw, manure, and water (rain, irrigation), but the amount supplied is
usually insufficient to achieve high and sustainable yields. Fertilizers
need to be applied to overcome the deficit between crop requirement
and nutrient supply from the above-mentioned sources. The crop
requirement of nutrients depend on variety and season (targeted yield
level). However, the full potential of improved nutrient management
can only be reached with good crop management, including appropriate
water and pest management and use of quality seeds of suitable
varieties.

Nutrients needed by the rice plant

There are 17 elements needed by the rice plant to complete a healthy
life cycle. They are generally grouped into macroelements and
microelements. The rice plant
requires relatively high amount of
Average amount of
nutrient removed by macroelements and small amounts of
modern rice varieties for microelements. The most common
every ton of grain yield:
limiting nutrients are nitrogen (N),
N 1 7 .5 phosphorus (P), potassium (K),
P 3 sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn). (Please see
K 17 Appendix 6 for the complete list of
Zn 0 .0 5
S 1 .8 elements)
Si 3 .5
Mg 4 .0
Ca 0 .5 0
Fe 0 .5
Mn 0 .5
Cu 0 .0 1 2
B 0 .0 1 5

2
Factors that should be considered
to increase fertilizer-use efficiency
1. VARIETY AND CROP MANAGEMENT
• Use high-quality seeds of varieties that are efficient users of
nutrients and tolerant to pests and diseases.
• Level the soil properly and maintain a water level of
2-5 cm until 3-4 weeks after transplanting.

Irrigating only after 5-6

days of no standing
water can save 16-35%
water without reducing
yield. This is also a good
practice to manage Zn-
deficient soils, control
lodging, and correct
some other soil related
nutrient problems.

• Choose a suitable planting density [hills spaced 20x15 cm apart

during dry season (DS) and 20x20 cm during wet season (WS) with
1-3 plants per hill in transplanted rice and 40-60 kg of seeds per ha in
broadcast, wet-seeded rice]. Transplant young seedlings (10-21 day-old).
1-3 seedlings/
hill

)
son
20 t sea son)
e a
cm (w y se
cm (dr
20 cm
15

3
• Remove weeds, especially
at the early vegetative
stage and before applying
fertilizers. Weeds compete
with the rice plants for
nutrients. They grow faster
when fertilized. The
more vigorous the weed
growth is, the greater the
competition.

IRRI
2. PLANTING TIME
• Follow the appropriate planting season and time in the locality.
Apply less fertilizer during the WS, when weather conditions are
less favorable. Plants are leafy and shade each other so that the
food manufactured in the leaves is low. This means that the
nutrient requirement is also lower than during the DS.

IRRI

WS DS

Note: Rate of NPK application is higher during the DS than the

WS because growing conditions are more favorable in the DS
(higher solar radiation and crop growth rate), hence, fertilizer
requirements are higher.

4
• Observe synchronous planting to minimize concentrated damage
caused by rice pests such as green leafhoppers, stem borers, rats,
and birds.

3. ORGANIC FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT

• Organic nutrient sources such as rice straw, azolla, sesbania, indigo,
ipil-ipil leaves, and animal manure can supply substantial amounts of
nutrients (See Appendix 4 for the NPK composition
of organic nutrient
sources). Do not burn the rice straw
because it is a source of N, P, K, Si,
• The use of organic Ca, Mg, and other nutrients.
fertilizers can reduce K
inorganic fertilizer
needs.
• Rice straw, stubble
or undecomposed
organic material
should be
incorporated 2-3
weeks before crop
establishment to
avoid negative effects
([Link], immobilization).
• Burning of straw results in losses of N (100%), P (25%), and K (20%
due to leaching). If burning cannot be avoided, the straw must be
spread in the field and not burned in heaps.
• Application of organic fertilizers (5 kg/100 m2 seedbed) makes the
soil friable, which facilitates pulling of seedlings.
• Incorporation of organic materials also improves the water
holding capacity and structure of the soil so that roots have better
access and use of available nutrients. It also increases microbial
biomass, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and other organisms that control
the transformation of fertilizer materials into forms available to the
plants.

5
N management
n N is the most common limiting nutrient in rice because it is not
supplied in sufficient amounts by the soil and other indigenous
sources. The cheapest common N source is urea (46% N), which
can be applied basally or topdressed during the season.
Currently, only about 30-40% of the N fertilizer applied is taken
up by the crop in farmers’ fields, but the recovery can be greatly
increased with good management:

1. Basal application
• Apply N fertilizer as basal only in transplanted rice and only if
soil fertility is low (< 3 t of grain yield per ha in an unfertilized
plot). Avoid large basal applications of more than 40 kg N/ha.
• Broadcast the fertilizer onto the soil before the final
harrowing. There should be no standing flood water. Keep
the field saturated until 5-6 days after transplanting
and keep a 2-5 cm water level until 3-4 weeks after
transplanting. This practice minimizes N losses to the
atmosphere.

Note: Basal application is

not recommended for
direct-seeded rice because
(1) seedlings are too small
for the large N supply; (2)
seedlings still have food up
to 15 days after sowing; and
(3) field water will be
drained up to 10 days after
seeding, thus, avoiding large
N losses. Also, if indigenous
N supply (INS) is greater
than 40 kg/ha.

6
2. Topdressing
• Use the leaf color chart (LCC) to determine the plant’s
requirement for N.
• Apply more N (or more often) when the crop demand for N is
large, which is between mid-tillering and panicle
initiation stages of the crop.
• Use more splits, especially with long-maturing varieties and
during the DS when yields are expected to higher. Split the
total fertilizer N recommendations into 2-3 (WS) or 3-4 (DS).
• Do not apply more than 40 kg N/ha per topdressing.
• Do not topdress N when leaves are wet because fertilizer will
stick to leaves and may cause leaf burn.
• Do not topdress N if heavy rain is expected because the
fertilizer could be washed out.
• A late topdressing of urea at heading to flowering stage is only
recommended in the DS and only when crop stand is good and
pest pressure is low.

Do not apply urea during

the hottest time of the
day or when it is windy
to avoid gaseous N losses
to the atmosphere
(volatilization).

7
 N deficiency
Symptoms: Stunted plant; reduced tiller number; small, narrow, erect leaves
that turn yellowish-red and
brown; old leaves become
light straw-colored and
then wither.

Causes of N deficiency:
- Low soil N supply;
- Insufficient
application of N
fertilizer;
- N loss due to heavy
rainfall (leaching and
seepage);

How to prevent it: Apply nitrogen fertilizer as needed based on LCC reading,
or apply nitrogen in splits to increase efficiency.

n N fertilizer application at tillering and early panicle initiation (EPI)

stages increases the number of panicles per square meter, number of
spikelets per panicle, and dry matter production.
n Fertilizers applied before transplanting should be incorporated in
the soil to prevent N losses into the air and keep the fertilizer
nearer the roots.
n The best time to apply N fertilizer is at transplanting and EPI.
Fertilizer application after flowering increases spikelet sterility and
causes late production of tillers.

8
n When N fertilizer is
broadcast onto
floodwater under hot
and windy conditions,
especially when the rice
canopy is still narrow, NITROGEN IN THE AIR
N is lost rapidly.

IRRI
n The rice plant highly
responds to N
fertilizer right after
transplanting and just
before the
reproductive stage
(5-6 days before visible
panicle initiation).
n For a target yield of 7 tons/ha in the DS, apply 153 kg N/ha for the
following conditions: (1)if the INS is 50 kg/ha; (2) if recovery
efficiency of applied N is 45%; and (3) if 17 kg N/ha is taken up per
hectare. However, real time crop need for N can be assessed with
the use of the LCC.

Too much nitrogen fertilizer use allows much

vegetative growth, resulting in poor light
distribution under the rice canopy. As a
consequence, the rice plant is prone
to lodging and has poor filling of grains
because of intensive mutual shading.
IRRI

9
n For medium-textured soils (sandy loam, silt loam, and loam),
apply N 3-4 times:
1. during the final harrowing (basal);
2. during mid-tillering: 30-35 days after transplanting (DAT);
3. during panicle initiation;
4. during early flowering.
n For fine-textured soils (silty clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay,
silty clay, and clay), apply N fertilizer 2-3 times:
1. during final harrowing (basal);
2. during mid-tillering;
3. during early panicle initiation (EPI).

How to determine the textural class of a soil

(A) (B)

The “feel method” can be used to determine the textural class of a

soil. Soil samples are moistened and rubbed between the thumb and
fingers. (A) Fine-textured soil - sticky, cohesive,
forms a ribbon after pressing and rubbing. (B) Medium-textured soil -
less cohesive, feels gritty, does not form a rigid ribbon after pressing
and rubbing.

10
n Long-maturing varieties have long vegetative phases, hence
requiring more split applications for N fertilizer.
- For 115-day varieties, split N into 2 doses: apply 2/3 to 1/2 of the
total requirement as basal and remaining 1/3 to 1/2 at EPI.
- For 120-130 varieties, split N into 3 doses: 1/3 basal; 1/3 at
tillering; 1/3 at EPI.

Basal Tillering Early panicle

initiation

n For transplanted rice, apply N fertilizer as basal (if INS is 40 kg/ha or

lower) just before the final harrowing. Succeeding fertilizer
applications should be based on LCC readings.
n For direct-seeded rice, determine when to topdress N using the LCC.
n If the amount of the fertilizer available is small (i.e., 30 kg/ha), apply
all of it in a single dose at EPI or 65 days before maturity.

11
P management
n P management should be
considered as a long-term P requires a long-term
investment in soil fertility. management strategy
n Prevent P deficiency because P
than to treat P deficiency is not easily lost or
symptoms. added to the root
n If P is limiting yield, apply zone by the biological
sufficient P to overcome the and chemical
limitation. Otherwise, only apply processes.
a smaller dose for maintenance.
n Apply P fertilizer as basal as it is essential for root
development and production of tillers. P fertilizer would not be
effective ifapplied later in the season.

n P fertilizer application
provides a residual
effect that can persist
for several years. It is
most effective to apply a
smaller amount every season
than applying a large amount,
yet less frequently.
n Apply more P in the DS than
Basal application
of P is necessary during WS.
for root elongation.
n Incorporate rice straw.
Even if rice straw contains
small amount of P (1 kg P per
ton straw), it contributes
to maintaining a positive P
balance in the long term.

12
Phosphorous deficiency

Symptoms: Stunted plant; reduced tiller number; erect stem with small,
narrow, erect leaves; young leaves look normal but old ones turn brown and
wither.

Causes of P deficiency:
• Low soil P supply;
• Insufficient application of
mineral P fertilizer;
• Low efficiency of applied P
fertilizer owing to high P-
fixation capacity or erosion
losses (in upland rice fields
only);
• P immobilization in calcium
phosphate due to
excessive liming.
How to prevent it: Upon
introduction of irrigation
water or flooding, symptoms
disappear owing to reduced
ferric phosphate. Apply P
fertilizer as basal or at early tillering stage.

n For a target yield of 7 tons/ha in the DS, apply 69 kg P2O5/ha for

the following conditions: (1) if 20% of rice straw is removed at
harvest; (2) if 15 kg P/ha is taken up per ton of grain; (3)
if indigenous P supply (IPS) is 15 kg P/ha; and (4) if recovery
efficiency of applied P is 20%. This could also give a positive P
balance in the soil.
n P deficiency results in poor growth (small leaves, slow
recovery) of green manure crops, delayed maturity (often
by 1 week or more), large proportion of empty grains, low grain
weight and poor grain quality, and absence of algae in
floodwater.

13
K management
n K provides general strength to Like P, K management
plants and contributes in should also be considered as
generating energy and crop a part of a long-term soil
growth. fertility management
n Unlike N and P, K does not have because K is not easily lost
a pronounced effect on from or added to the root
tillering, but it increases leaf zone by the
area, spikelet number, short-term biological and
percentage filled grain, and chemical processes.
grain weight.
n The amount of K to apply is determined by the soil type, cropping
intensity, straw management, and target rice yield.
n Broadcast or incorporate 50-75% K fertilizer into the soil during the
final harrowing (basal). Topdress the remaining 50% or 25% at EPI
stage to increase panicle growth and development. In non K-fixing
soils, apply all K as basal.
n In clay soil, apply K as basal along with N and P fertilizers.
n In medium-textured soils, topdress K fertilizer at the rapid
tillering stage to avoid leaching.
n Alternate wetting and drying of the soil may increase K in the soil
solution.

Carry out deep tillage

to improve root health
and K uptake

14
n If K is limiting yield, apply sufficient K to overcome the limitation.
Otherwise, only apply a smaller dose for maintenance.
n For a target yield of 7 t/ha in the DS, apply 82 kg K2O/ha for the
following conditions: (1) if 20% of the rice straw is removed from the
field at harvest; (2) if 17 kg K/ha is taken up per ton of grain; (3) if
indigenous K supply (IKS) is 85 kg/ha; and (4) if recovery efficiency of
applied K is 50%. This can also give a positive K balance in the soil.
n Do not burn rice straw and return threshed materials to the field to
increase K supply. Rice straw contains 80% of the K in plants.
n Soil types, particularly prone to K deficiency, include medium-
textured soils and highly weathered acid soils (e.g., acid upland
soils).

K deficiency
Symptoms:

Stunted plant; slightly reduced tillering; yellowing of interveinal areas of

lower leaves starting from the tip then the leaves turn brown and wither;
older leaves with brown spots.

Causes of K deficiency:
- Low soil K supply;
- Low amount of K fertilizer applied;
- Rice straw burned
and not returned
to the field;
- Excessive use of
N or N + P
fertilizers
with insuffient K
application.

How to prevent it:

Apply K fertilizer.

15
Management of other nutrient deficiencies in rice
Aside from NPK, the following nutrient limitations are also common in rice:

Zn deficiency*
Symptoms: Stunted plant;
reduced tiller number; base and
midrib of young leaves are
yellowish, white old leaves are
rusty brown; reduced size of
leaf blades; uneven growth of
the plants; delayed maturity.
Preventive measures: Apply
10-15 kg (1 bag) of zinc sulfate/ Role of Zn in the rice plant
• For the production of auxin, one of the
ha within 10 days after best-known enzymes that regulate plant
growth.
transplanting, or dip seedlings in 2% • To enhance seedling development.
Zn Oxide (ZnO) suspension.
Practice intermittent irrigation.
______________
*Read more info in Technology Bulletins
on Management of Zinc-Deficient Lowland Rice Soils
and on Controlled Irrigation

S deficiency**
Symptoms: Stunted plant;
reduced tiller number; leaves,
especially the youngest, become
yellow-whitish and brown.

Preventive measures: Use

ammonium sulfate instead of
urea. Incorporate straw instead
Role of S in the rice plant
• For protein synthesis, plant function, of burning it. About 40-60% of S
and plant structure. contained in straw is lost during
• For chlorophyll production.
• For protein building to maximize yield. burning.

______________
**Read more info in Technology Bulletin on Management of Sulfur-Deficient Lowland Rice Soils

16
Determining the nutrient needs of rice
The following tools may be used to fully characterize the fertilizer
requirement of the crop. This avoids overfertilization that
predisposes the plant to fungal and bacterial diseases, reduces cost of
inputs, and enhances the physical and chemical properties of the soil.
1. Determine the soil physical (type, texture), chemical, and
biological properties contributing to soil fertility.
2. Use effective ways for
diagnosing nutrient
limitation of the soil such as
laboratory analysis, soil test kit,
or the minus-one element
technique (MOET).
3. Collect soil from the field
at least two months before
Minus-One Element transplanting. (Please see
Technique
Appendix 4 for the procedure on
how to collect soil samples)

4. Conduct the MOET*.

5. In moderate
to severe cases where
some symptoms are
manifested by the
standing crop, use LCC
to determine N deficiency.

______________
*Read more info in Technology Bulletin
on Minus-one Element Technique: Nutrient
deficiency test made easy

17
 Fertilizer recommendation for hybrid rice
Basal or early fertilizer applications: As a rule of thumb, relativelyamount of
N, all P, 50% of the K, and S should be applied basal or early in the season.
Conduct MOET for nutrients other than N, and if deficiencies are observed,
apply fertilizer as given in Table 1. If MOET cannot be conducted, follow rules
for applying P, K, and S given in earlier sections. Succeeding N applications will
be based on the LCC (see Table 2), and the remaining 50% K should be applied
at early PI. It is not recommended to apply combined fertilizers after the
tillering stage unless they contain only N and K.

Apply 10-25 kg (1 bag) of zinc sulfate/ha within 10 days after transplanting

even if MOET is conducted or not, or dip seedlings in 2% ZnO suspension.

Table 1: Quick fertilizer nutrient calculator for basal or early applications.

Deficient Fertilizer Recommended basal application
nutrient requirement [Choose any of the following, depending on the
other than N availability and cost of the fertilizer materials]
P 20-25 kg N [1 bag urea + 3 bags 0-18-0] or [3 bags 16-20-0] or
+ 20-30 kg P2Os [2 bags 20-10-0 + 2 bags 0-18-0] or
[3 bags 17-7-17 + 2 bags 0-18-0]
K 20-25 kg N [1 bag urea + 1 bag 0-0-60] or [3 bags 17-0-17]
+ 30-35 kg K2O
S 20-25 kg N + 20-24 kg S [2 bags of ammonium sulfate (AS)]
PK 20-25 kg N + 20-30 kg [1 bag urea + 3 bags 0-18-0 + 1 bag 0-0-60]
P2O5 + 20-30 kg K2O [4 bags 10-15-15] or [4 bags 10-15-20] or
[4 bags 12-12-12] or [3 bags 14-14-14]
PS 20-25 kg N + 20-30 kg [3 bags 16-20-0]
P2O5 + 20-24 kg S
KS 20-25 kg N + 20-30 kg [2 bags of ammonium sulfate + 1 bag 0-0-60]
K2O + 20-24 kg S
PKS 20-25 kg N + 20-30 kg [3 bags 16-20-0 + 1 bag 0-0-60]
P2O5 + 20-30 kg K2O +
20-24 kg S

Table 2. Fertilizers to topdress when LCC reading is less than 4.

Time of application Amount of fertilizer per hectare
dry-season wet-season
Early growth stage, 14 to 30 DAT 1.5 bag urea or 3 bags AS 1 bag urea or 2 bags AS
Rapid growth stage, 34 to 50 DAT [2 bag ureaa or 4 bags AS] [1.5 bag ureaa or 3 bags
+ 0.75 bag 0-0-60b AS]+ 0.75 bag 0-0-60b
Late growth stage, around 54 DAT 1.5 bag urea or 3 bags AS 1 bag urea or 2 bags AS
10% heading (only if crop stand is 0.5 bag urea or 1 bag AS
excellent and pest pressure low)
a
Apply only once. b About 50% of the total K rate should be applied at early PI together with
urea.

18
 Appendix 1. A practical guide in determining the nutrient needs of plants.

Phosphorus Potassium Iron Zinc

Nitrogen
deficiency deficiency deficiency deficiency
deficiency

Vegetative Vegetative Vegetative Vegetative

Most susceptible Vegetative
stage of the plant

Narrow, erect, dark Yellowish leaves Yellowish to whitish Young leaves

Plant parts General yellowing
green leaves, with brown spots leaves yellowish; old
showing symptoms of leaves;
slender stems on old leaves ones are rusty brown
Small, narrow, erect
leaves that turn
yellowish

Indicators and signs Stunted plant; reduced Stunted plant; reduced Stunted plant; slightly Stunted plant; reduced Stunted plant; reduced
tiller number tiller number;

19
tiller number tiller number reduced tillering
Plants near the levees
and at high position
have better growth

Intensive cropping Intensive cropping; High soil pH in upland Intensive cropping,

Factors that Intensive cropping;
and cold weather; Poor soil drainage;
aggravate the Low soil organic matter;
Straw removal Straw removal High soil organic
problem Straw removal
matter

Apply N Apply P at early plant Apply K Apply ammonium Drain the field with
Simple ways to
growth stage sulfate standing water.
correct the problem
Apply Zn.
APPENDIX 2. Sources of fertilizers
N P K Zn S N-P
sources sources sources sources sources sources

14-14-14 14-14-14 14-14-14 Zinc sulfate 21-0-0-25S 16-20-0

15-15-15 15-15-15 15-15-15 Zinc oxide 17-17-17 20-10-0
10-10-20 10-10-20 10-10-20 Zinc metalate
17-17-17 17-17-17 17-17-17
46-0-0 20-10-0 0-0-50
20-10-0 16-20-0 0-0-60
21-0-0 0-18-0
16-20-0

APPENDIX 3. Average elemental composition of some crop residues,

green and animal manures as compost materials (Misra and Hesse,
1993 as cited by Cosico, 1985)
% O v e n D ry B a s is
M a te ria l C /N N P K
C ro p R e sid u e s
R ic e stra w 105 0 .5 8 0 .1 0 1 .3 8
W h e a t stra w 105 0 .4 9 0 .1 1 1 .0 6
C o rn sto v e r 55 0 .5 9 0 .3 1 1 .3 1
S o y b e a n sto v e r 32 1 .3 - -
C o tto n sta lk s a n d le a v e s - 0 .8 8 0 .1 5 1 .4 5
P e a n u t stra w 19 0 .5 9 - -
P e a n u t h u lls - 1 .7 5 0 .2 0 1 .2 4
C o w p e a ste m s - 1 .0 7 1 .1 4 2 .5 4
S u g a rc a n e tra sh 116 0 .3 5 0 .0 4 0 .5 0
Cabbage 12 3 .6 - -
Tobacco 13 3 .0 - -
G re e n M a n u re s
S e sb a n ia a c u le a ta - 2 .1 8 - -
S e sb a n ia sp e c io sa 18 2 .5 1 - -
V ig n a sin e n sis (C o w p e a ) - 3 .0 9 - -
M e lito tu s in d ic a - 3 .3 6 0 .2 2 1 .2 7
P isu m s a tiv a (p e a ) - 1 .9 7 - -
A c a c ia fe rru g in e a le a v e s - 2 .9 6 0 .1 3 0 .8 8
A c a c ia A ra b ia le a v e s - 2 .6 1 0 .1 7 1 .2 0
D e sm o d iu m trifo liu m - 2 .9 3 0 .1 4 1 .3 0
C a lo p o g o n iu m m u c u n o id e s - 3 .0 2 - -
W a te r h y a c in th 18 2 .0 4 0 .3 7 3 .4 0
A zo lla - 3 .6 8 0 .2 0 0 .1 5
A lg a e - 2 .4 7 0 .1 2 0 .3 7
A n im a l m a n u re s
C a ttle 19 1 .5 0 1 .0 0 0 .9 4
Sheep 29 2 .0 2 1 .7 5 6 1 .9 4
H o rse 24 1 .5 9 1 .6 5 0 .6 5
P ig 13 2 .8 1 1 .6 1 1 .5 2
C h ic k e n - 4 .0 0 1 .9 8 2 .3 2
Duck - 2 .1 5 1 .1 3 1 .1 5
Hum an 8 7 .2 4 1 .7 2 2 .4 1

20
APPENDIX 4. How to collect soil samples

Proper collection of soil samples is extremely important. The correct

interpretation of the soil test can be made only when the samples are truly
representative of the soil conditions in the field.

Sampling
n Sampling is easy when the soil is moist. However, sampling may also be
taken when the soil is dry or is naturally wet as in paddy fields.
n Collect soil samples away from fences, roads, building sites, straw piles,
manure piles, etc.
n Do not mix the following:
- light and dark colored soil
- samples from areas which vary in past fertilizer application or average crop
yield
- samples from different soil textures

Materials
n Tools - a long narrow bladed shovel or other ordinary shovel, bolo, or
crowbar to collect soil samples
- for paddy field (wet soil), use a PVC pipe with about 2.5”
diameter
n Containers - a pail or basin for collecting and mixing soil samples
- plastic bags for packaging the samples from the field to the
laboratory

Procedure
1. Divide the farm into lots. A farm may be level or sloping; it may have wet or
stony portions. Collect a sample that represents an area, whichhas uniform
slope, texture, depth, drainage, and crop grown. Refer to Figure 4.
2. Make a triangular cut
to a depth of 25 cm
(Figure 1). Slice 2-3 Remove the soil
cm from each of the
side and place the
collected soil in a
pth

container (Figure 2).

in de

Repeat this
25 cm

procedure in 10
different spots as
shown in Figure 4.
Figure 1. Triangular cut must be 25-30 cm in depth

21
 1 2
2-3 cm

3 4
Figure 2. Soil slice to be collected as sample Figure 3. In the divided lot,
(2-3 cm in thick) with the width of 10-25 cm. collect only parts 1 and 4 and
discard parts 2 and 3.

3. Mix all the soil in the container; break big clods into smallest possible size,
then pour it on a plastic sheet. Divide the lot into four and collect the soil
from opposite quadrant. (Note: Repeat this step until around 0.5 -1.0 kg soil
is left). Discard or return the rest of the soil to the field. Place about 0.5 kg
of soil in a plastic bag and label. Fill up Soil Sampling Information Sheet
(Appendix 2) and attach it with the soil sample.

4. In your station/laboratory, air dry the soil samples. Pulverize using a wooden
mallet/pestle.

8
9
4
5
3
7
Figure 4. At least ten 2
different places in the
field where soil sample 6 10
1
should be collected
in a hectare.

Note: Avoid any contamination during the collection

and processing of soil samples.

22
APPENDIX 5. Soil sampling information sheet

Name of farmer _______________ Date of sampling ____________________

Mailing address__________________________________________________

Location of farm ________________ Date submitted _____________________

Directions for finding the site/Landmark ______________________________

Area represented (ha) ___ Topography: ___ Plain ___ Rolling ___ Hilly

Previous crops______________________________________________________

Fertilizer applied to previous crops (amount and kind) ___________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Crop and variety to be fertilized _____________________________________

Water source: ________ Irrigated (NIA/Pump/SWIP, etc) ________ Rainfed

Yield (t/ha): in dry season _____________ in wet season _________

APPENDIX 6. Elements needed by the rice plant

Macrolements Microelements
Name Symbol Name Symbol

Carbon C Zinc Zn
Hydrogen H Iron Fe
Oxygen O Copper Cu
Nitrogen N Molybdenum Mo
Phosphorus P Manganese Mn
Potassium K Boron B
Calcium Ca Chlorine Cl
Magnesium Mg
Sulfur S

23
References
Agricultural Training Institute. 2002. RSTC Reference Materials. San Vicente,
Alangalang, Leyte, Philippines.

Dobermann A., T. Fairhurst. 2000. Handbook on Nutrient & Nutrient

Management. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños,
Laguna, Philippines.

Fairhurst T., C. Witt. 2002. Rice: A Practical Guide to Nutrient Management.

Singapore and Los Baños. Potash and Phosphate Institute & Phosphate
Institute of Canada and International Rice Research Institute. pp. 1-45.

Philippine Rice Research Institute. 2002. Questions and Answers (Q&A) on

Integrated Nutrient Management. Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines.

____________________________. 2002. Poster on Major Disorders of the Rice

Plant of the Philippines. Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija,
Philippines.
____________________________. 2002. Field Guide on Major Disorders of the
Rice Plant of the Philippines. Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines.
________________________. 1998. Technology Bulletin on Leaf Color
Chart. Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

Vergara BS. 1992. A Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice. IRRI, Los Baños,
Laguna, Philippines.

24
Subject Matter Specialists
Hermenegildo C. Gines
Rolando T. Cruz, PhD
Jovino L. de Dios
Evelyn F. Javier
Madonna C. Casimero, PhD
Salvador I. Yabes

Managing Editor/ Desktop Artist

Ronan G. Zagado

Cover Design
Carlo G. Dacumos

Illustrator
Carlito N. Bibal
Andrei B. Lanuza

Editorial Advisers
Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhD
Teresa P. de Leon

Published 2002 by the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

For further information, contact:

Agronomy, Soils, and Plant Physiology Division
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Tel. No. (044) 456-0285; -0113 local 259, 212
PhilRice
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government-owned and controlled
corporation created through Executive Order 1061 approved on Nov. 5, 1985, which was
amended by EO 60 dated Nov. 7, 1986 and EO 76 dated March 4, 2002 to help develop high-
yielding technologies so that farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos. PhilRice
accomplishes this mission through research, technology promotion, and policy advocacy,
which are implemented through a network that includes 57 agencies and 95 seed centers
strategically located nationwide.

Its interdisciplinary programs include the following: (1) direct-seeded and (2) transplanted
irrigated lowland rice; (3) hybrid rice; (4) rice for adverse environments; (5) rice-based
farming systems; (6) policy research and advocacy; and (7) technology promotion. With these
programs, PhilRice aims to develop and promote technologies that are ecosystem-based,
location- and problem-specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers.

for more information, PhilRice Maligaya

write, visit or call: Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Tel: (044) 456-0113, -0258, -0277
Tel/Fax: (044) 456-0112; -0651 local 511;
-0652 local 515;
E-mail: philrice@[Link]
Website: [Link]

PhilRice Los Baños

UPLB Campus, College, 4031 Laguna
Tel: (049) 536-3631 to 33, -3635
Tel/Fax: (049) 536-3515
e-mail: philrice@[Link]

PhilRice San Mateo

Philippine Rice Research Institute Malasin, San Mateo, 3318 Isabela
Tel: (078) 664-2280, -2954
Tel/Fax: (078) 664-2953
e-mail: philrice_isabela@[Link]

PhilRice Batac
17 Tabug, Batac, 2906 Ilocos Norte
Tel: (077) 792-4714
Tel/Fax: (077) 792-4702; -4745; -2543
e-mail: philrice@[Link]

PhilRice Midsayap
Bual Norte, Midsayap, 9410 North Cotabato
Tel: (06422) 97242 • Tel/Fax: (06422) 98178
e-mail: philrice@[Link]

PhilRice Agusan
Basilisa, RTRomualdez, 8611 Agusan del Norte
Tel: (085) 818-2277, -3377
Tel/Fax: (085) 818-4477
e-mail: cvces001@[Link]