Sunday, August 24, 2008

TRANSPLANTING RICE IN STRAIGHT ROWS

TRANSPLANTING makes other field operations such as weeding, spraying and applying fertilizer easier. By transplanting, farmers can maintain proper plant spacing, resulting in uniform growth.



OPERATION 1.
Using planting wire and board


STEPS

1. Establish the first base line
Stake two points and tie abaca twine or string between them, preferably parallel to one of the border levees. The distance between the levees and the base line will depend on the purpose of planting.

2. Establish the second line
From one end of your first base line, stretch the abaca twine in a perpendicular line; making a straight angle between the 2 base lines. This angle may be established by comparing with the corner of a notebook or by comparing with the corner of a notebook or by applying the Pythagorean equation:

a2 + b2 = c2


3. Setup the planting wire
Tie the wire ends to bamboo poles. Stretch the wire along the first base line and drive the poles into the ground at each end.
4. Distribute seedlings bundles through out the plot.
5. Position the planters along the planting wire.
Set the planting board at both ends of the planting wire to guide you in row spacing. Then position the planters along the planting wire.
6. Plant the seedlings
Take enough seedlings from the bundle, keeping the roots together. Hold the seedlings in one hand. Using your thumb, separate the right number of seedlings for one hill and hold them between the thumb and the index or middle finger. Then, with your free hand detach these seedlings from the bundle. Use your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, protecting the roots while inserting them into the soil right under the mark on the planting wire. Plant dapog seedlings 1.5cm deep or just enough for the roots to come in contact with the soil. Plant wetbed seedlings 1.5-3.0cm deep. Plant the seedlngs upright. Make sure the planting board is properly placed while you are planting. When the first row has been planted, move the planting wire to the next mark on the planting boards. Move backward to plant subsequent rows.
7. Collect extra seedlings and plant them in the alleyways.
You can use these seedlings for replanting missing hills later.
8. Clean the planting wire and boards and remove the base lines.
9. Keep the field saturated but with no standing water or maintain a shallow water level.
If you can control the water, keep the field saturated after transplanting until the plants recover (generally, in 4 days). Then increase water level gradually up to 5cm. But if you cannot control the water, maintain a shallow water level after transplanting until the plants recover.
10. Replant missing hills.
Ten days after transplanting, replant all missing hills using the extra seedlings previously saved, or the new tillers of thick neighboring hills.

OPERATION 2. Transplanting using the wooden marker.

STEPS

1. Establish the first base line
Stake 2 points and tie abaca twine or string between them, preferably parallel to one of the border levees. The distance between the levees and the base lien will depend on the purpose of planting.
2. Establish the second base lie
From one end of the first base line stretch the abaca twine in a perpendicular line, making a right angle between the 2 base lines. This angle may be established by using a notebook or by applying the Pythagorean theory:

a2 + b2 = c2

3. Mark the field
Drain the field and let it stand overnight. The following day, mark the field for transplanting. Pass the wooden marker along the second base line. Allow the marker to touch the base lien as you pass. As you return, pass the marker over the last mark previously made. Use this as your guide. Continue until you readch the other end. Pass the wooden marker across the field, following the first base line as your guide. Follow the same operation until you reach the other end.
4. Distribute seedling bundles throughout the field.
5. Plant the seedlings as in step 6 of Operation 1.
At the first base line, line the planters up facing the field. Plant the seedlings at the intersections of the lines, moving forward so that the markings will not be erased.
6. Maintain a shallow water level
If you can control the water, keep the field saturated after transplanting until the plants recover (generally 4 days). Then increase water level gradually up to 5 cm. But if you cannot control the water, maintain a shallow level after transplanting until the plants recover.
7. Replant missing hills.
Ten days after transplanting, replant all missing hills using the extra seedlings previously saved, or new tillers of thick neighboring hills.



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