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MODULE 5
LAND PREPARATION
Overview

This module describes the methods and techniques in

preparing the field for growing rice, their advantages as well as
disadvantages.

It is not enough for the farmer to plant the recommended

variety; it is equally important to have good field preparation. A
well-prepared field provides good physical, chemical, and biological
conditions of the soil for optimum crop growth. Adequate knowledge
on field preparation is, therefore, important in rice production.

Objectives and TTopics

opics

I. Differentiate land preparation from tillage.

A. Land preparation is the process of preparing the soil to provide a

favorable soil environment for plant germination and growth. Land
preparation is accomplished through tillage.
C. Tillage is the process of mechanically altering some physical char-
acteristics of the soil for it to be ideal for growing crops.

II. Enumerate the two types of tillage and the purposes of each.

A. Primary tillage involves the initial cutting of the soil where a crop
has been grown and harvested, or when the ground is simply bar-
ren. This can be performed by using either an animal or tractor drawn
or mounted implement.
B. Secondary tillage is the subsequent cultivation of the soil after pri-
mary tillage. This operation breaks the soil clods and incorporates
materials thoroughly into the soil. The implement used is the harrow
which is either comb-toothed or spike-toothed.

III. Discuss the two ways of preparing rice fields.

A. Wetland tillage is the usual way of preparing lowland fields for plant-
ing. The soil is tilled in a saturated or flooded condition.
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B. Dryland tillage is the other method of preparing rice fields. This is

for both lowland and upland fields where the soil is dry during land
preparation. This is done to obtain a mellow, firm seedbed for sown
seeds to germinate in, control weeds, and incorporate organic mate-
rials into the soil.

IV. Enumerate the factors that influence the method of land preparation.

A. Method of crop establishment

B. Water supply
C. Power resources
D. Cost and sustainability
E. Characteristic of the soil

V. List the advantages and disadvantages of wet and dryland tillage.

Wet tillage Dryland tillage

Advantages
- Improves weed control - Requires less water
- Facilitates incorporation of - Helps control golden snail
organic materials and soil - Soil aeration
ammendments
- Provides good soil condition
for crop establishment

Disadvantages
- Needs high water requirement - High power requirement
- Soil structure is destroyed - Lack of suitable
- Unfavorable for subsequent equipement
establishment of rice-based
crops

VI. Describe the steps in wetland tillage.

A. Repair the dike to impound water particularly where water supply is

not reliable.
B. Irrigate the field until soft enough and suitable to the equipment to
be used.
C. Perform primary tillage operations. Use any of the following mold-
board plow, disc plow, rotavator or floating tiller.
D. Keep the field submerged for 5-7 days to soften the clods and to
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decompose organic materials. Let the water drain naturally to allow

volunteer/drop seeds and weed seeds to germinate.
E. Harrow the field 2-3 times at 5-7 days interval. The first harrowing is
done along the plowing pattern to break the soil clods. The second
harrowing is done crosswise to incorporate crop residues and to
eradicate newly emerged weeds. Third and final harrowing aim to do
initial land leveling, final incorporation of crop residues and to pro-
vide proper soil tilth for crop growth. It is normally done a day before
crop establishment.
F. Level the field using a wooden plank. A leveled field can contribute
to proper water, nutrient and pest management, as in golden apple
snail and weeds. Even maturity of the rice crop can also be attained
if the field is leveled.

VII. Discuss the steps in dryland tillage.

A. The field is plowed whenever the residual moisture permits the op-
eration. Sometimes, rain is necessary to do the plowing.
B. In some cases, a disc harrow semi-mounted to a 4-wheel tractor is
used.
C. A rotavator mounted to a 4-wheel tractor is also used especially for
light soil.
D. Harrowing in the dry condition can be done with the use of spike-
tooth harrow. On the other hand, some fields were initially prepared
in dryland condition but the succeeding operations will be used for
wetland condition.

VIII. Enumerate the implements used in wetland tillage.

A. Moldboard plow
B. Disc plow
C. Floating tiller
D. Rotavator
E. Combed-tooth harrow

IX. Enumerate the implements used in dryland tillage.

A. Disc plow
B. Moldboard plow
C. Rotavator
D. Disc harrow
E. Spiked-tooth harrow
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X. Identify the factors that affect the selection of implement to be used.

A. Soil type
B. Soil condition
C. Topography
D. Presence of stubble, trash and weeds

XI. List the advantages and disadvantages of tractor and animal power.

Tractor Animal Power

Advantages
- Faster - Locally available
- More efficient - Can reproduce; source of
- Can perform more variety meat, milk, and organic
of work fertilizer
- No spare parts needed

Disadvantages
- High initial cost - Limited work output
- Not suitable to all types of - Prone to illness, poisoning,
field and rustling
- Needs fuel and breaks down - Requires daily attention
mechanically

XII. Explain why field preparations should be done 21 days before trans-
planting.

A. To protect seedlings from effects of high concentration of harmful

substances generated by decomposing organic matter.
B. To allow plants to utilize nutrients released during decomposition of
organic matters.
C. To allow volunteer or drop seeds and weed seeds to germinate and
eventually destroyed to avoid plant mixtures and competitors.

XIII. Discuss the characteristics of a well-prepared field.

A. Weeds, rice straw, and stubbles are thoroughly decayed and incor-
porated into the soil.
B. Soil is well puddled and leveled.
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Suggested Methodology

- Lecture and field demonstration

- Experiential / participatory

Materials/Visuals

- Slides/Slide projector
- Transparencies/OHP
- Farm implements (in the field)
- Powerpoint presentation

References
De Datta, SK. 1981. Principles and practices of rice production. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc, New York, USA.

Duldulao, VA. 2000. Let’s produce more rice. Department of Agriculture,

Philippine Rice Research Institute. Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

Land Preparation. 1998. Rice Production Farming Module, Slide-Tape In-

structional Unit RP4-13 (A Self Learning Booklet). International Rice
Research Institute. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.

Performance Objective Manual (Two-Week Rice Production Manual). In-

ternational Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.
1991

PhilRice. 1993. Rice production technoguide. Philippine Rice Research

Institute, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
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Evaluation

Multiple Choice. Select the best answer from the among the choices
given.

1. Land preparation is the process of

______ a) breaking the clods into smaller particles
______ b) initially cutting the soil where a crop has grown
c) preparing the soil for planting to provide favorable soil
environment for plant germination and growth
______ d) plowing, harrowing and leveling
______ e) tilling the soil in preparation for transplanting

2. Before plowing the field, it has to be:

______ a) measured
______ b) irrigated with enough water
______ c) tilled with tractor
______ d) leveled with a wooden plank
______ e) partitioned by levees

3. In harrowing the field,

______ a) the soil has to be puddled
______ b) the harrow is passed lengthwise then crosswise
______ c) use a rotary weeder
______ d) it must be irrigated first
______ e) it must first be leveled

4. Which does not belong in the group?

______ a) disc plow
______ b) floating tiller
______ c) rotavator
______ d) moldboard plow
______ e) spiked-tooth harrow

5. Land for transplanting rice should be plowed and harrowed

______ a) 1 month before transplanting
______ b) a week before transplanting
______ c) a day before transplanting
______ d) 3 weeks before transplanting
______ e) 15 days before transplanting
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Discussion . Answer briefly the following questions:

1. Differentiate land preparation from tillage.

2. Differentiate wetland tillage from dryland tillage. Cite advan-

tage and disadvantages of each.

3. What are the factors that affect the kind of method used in
preparing rice fields?

4. How many days should land be plowed and harrowed before

transplanting? Why?

5. Why is it important to level the field?

6. What are the characteristics of a well-prepared field?