Sustaining rice plants
I REFER to the recent media
reports about the possible impact of the current dry spell on rice production
in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia, especially in the plains of Kedah
and Perlis where the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) is located.
The drought which is drying up
the rice fields there has caused a lot of concern among the farming community
and members of the public alike.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
was asked to comment on the situation and, if possible, offer some suggestions
on how to minimise the impact of the drought on rice production.
In response, our experts have
offered the following observations and suggestions.
1) Weather has a direct effect
on the rice cropping system and eventually its yield. Despite the fact that
rice thrives in a hot and dry climate, extreme temperature at its reproductive
stage may result in irreversible damage to the plant’s growth.
2) The reports in the print
media about delaying rice planting in Mada due to the water shortage were incorrect.
According to Mada officials, water is sufficient for growing rice during the
coming season, which is going to start early next month. There is enough water
to irrigate all the padi fields in the area provided the farmers strictly
follow the irrigation schedule.
3) Adopting proper climate
mitigating strategies will enable us to sustain rice production under adverse
climate conditions. This has been proven by Vietnam, one of the major
rice-producing countries in the world. Its rice production this year, according
to a recent report in Vietnam News, is estimated
to be 45.2 million tonnes, which is 230,000 tonnes higher than the target
level, despite the adverse weather effects associated with El Nino.
4) For Malaysia, we need to
undertake spatial assessments of rice-growing areas that are vulnerable to high
temperature and drought for planning, implementing and adoption of strategies
to sustain rice production. The sensitivity of rice to high temperature and
drought conditions vary with the growth phase, increase in day/night
temperature and the padi strains.
5) In situations where water is
inadequate for irrigating rice fields, the planting date may have to be
changed. This is being practised in major rice-producing countries where
drought frequently occurs.
6) Having adequate water is
crucial for the establishment of the rice plants. If there is no water in the
catchment pond, there is no alternative other than to delay planting until
enough water is available. Rice establishment can occur under saturated soil
conditions but this will cause devastating crop loss and involve the high usage
of chemicals to control weeds in the fields. Thus, flooded conditions at the
early stage of padi planting is important both for development of the young
plants and to suppress weed infestation.
7) During the plant growth
phase, water conservation by managing water based on plant growth can be
adopted successfully. Our research findings show that water saving techniques
such as Alternate Wet and Dry Irrigation (AWD) and deficit irrigation can be
adopted without affecting yield. Correct fertiliser management is another
option for managing the plants under limited water. Our recent data published
in a well-known water management journal reported that managing fertilisers
such as potassium can be effective in sustaining rice plants affected by
drought.
In UPM, we are currently
conducting research to address the problems mentioned above. The Faculty of
Agriculture at UPM has set up a task force to undertake research to look into issues
related to climate change in our major rice granary areas.
We have already shared with the
relevant authority some of our research findings, such as effects of rice
production under high temperature with adequate water, water requirements based
on growth stages, and weed management for limited water conditions.
Other findings, such as
improving grain filling of rice to increase yield, have also been highlighted
but these are yet to be tested under large-scale field trials. This research is
funded by the Higher Education Ministry under the Long-term Grant Scheme (LRGS)
initiative on rice food security
http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2016/03/25/sustaining-rice-plants/
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