The aerobic rice technology (ART) was recently showcased in a field day techno forum of the Science and Technology based Farm (STBF) on aerobic rice production system (ARPS) in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
ART is a new rice technique that consumes less water. Through PCARRD’s STBF, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Nemencio J. Concepcion tested ARPS in his farm in Brgy. Mataas na Parang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
Concepcion, a son of a farmer who started farming at an early age, related that at first, he was hesitant to use the STBF-recommended rice seed variety PSBRc-9 (APO variety). But seeing the good performance of aerobic rice convinced him that it is possible to grow rice or even increase his yield with less water. In fact, during the field visit, the participants were also impressed with the noticeable differences on the agronomic performance of aerobic rice. The rice grown with less water had larger and fuller grains, taller, and had more tillers while the rice plants in the MS practice were stunted and infected with tungro disease.
Dr. Junel B. Soriano, technical expert from the Bulacan Agriculture State College (BASC), presented the advantage of the S&T interventions applied by MS Concepcion in his STBF farm which included: a) use of APO seed variety; b) use of furrow seeder spaced at 25-35 cm; and c) planting during rainy season.
“NSIC 192 or PSBRc-9 or APO variety is drought tolerant and can survive under low moisture. It is also resistant to various pest and diseases. The use of furrow seeder reduced the seeding rate to 60 kg/ha, half of the rate previously used (120 kg/ha),” Soriano explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Josie Valdez, BASC prexy, mentioned that BASC was the first to conduct experiments on aerobic rice production in Bulacan.
Soriano added that BASC is already collaborating with other agencies and institutions such as PhilRice and the International Rice Research Institute for the promotion of ART.
More than a hundred farmers from the nearby towns of San Ildefonso (Guiguinto, Calumpit, San Rafael, and Malolos) and representatives from the local government units, Provincial Agriculture Office, Municipal Agriculture Office, and host agencies of the forum participated in the field day.
The Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, local government of San Idelfonso, BASC, and PCARRD sponsored the field day.