Farmers in San Manuel, Pangasinan have resolved nutrient deficiencies in their rice fields with the learning gained from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RESP).
“[We didn’t know what was infecting our field]. We already applied all kinds of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides but were not effective. We only learned that our field lacks zinc when the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Batac City and our local government unit visited our fields,” farmer Edilberto Somera said.
Zinc deficiency, characterized by rusted and dead seedlings and pale yellow leaves with brown/black-dotted lower leaves, was remedied through use of zinc metalate.
In the RCEF learning activity focusing on PalayCheck, an integrated crop management system, crop specialist Benjamin Pajarillo Jr. emphasized that nutrient-specific intervention is crucial in addressing the causes of deficiencies and imbalances.
Experts recommend techniques to combat zinc deficiency including seedling dip, seedbed, broadcast, and foliar spraying to ameliorate the deficiency.
When transplanted, seedlings are dipped in 2% zinc oxide solution for 15-30 min.
Affected seedlings can also be treated with 0.5kg zinc sulfate per 400m2 or 40kg seeds if deficiency is mild and 2kg if severe. This must be applied at 7-10 days after sowing.
Application of 25kg of zinc sulfate per hectare is recommended 10-14 days after transplanting. Should foliar spraying be used, experts advise to follow product recommendations 14 days after transplanting.
In direct wet-seeded rice, affected seeds must be soaked in 1kg of zinc sulfate per 40kg during the last change in soaking water before incubation.
“We’re happy that our rice areas have recovered from this nutrient deficiency. Thanks to PhiRice and RCEF,” Marina Balmediano, San Manuel rice coordinator said.
In addition to the PalayCheck lecture, “Abonong Swak,” a campaign promoting the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer was also introduced to the farmers. It also encouraged the use of diagnostic tools such as Minus-One-Element Technique (MOET) kit, soil test kits, Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS), Leaf Color Chart (LCC), and ICT-based tools available online for more precise recommendations.
The RCEF RESP, which is a component of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, allots P10 billion fund every year for the rice farmers. Sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Villar, the program is a six-year government initiative to help the farmers compete in the international rice market. The local government units and lawmakers assist in its implementation.
