Step 13: Natural farming rice protocol (Part 2) - From sowing to harvesting

All our concoctions are now ready (see Part 1) and it is time to use them but... at the right concentration and the good moment. We can divide the protocol in 17 types of tasks. 

We will suppose the last harvest is finished and the rice straw are stocked

 where the tresher leaved them. Of course burning rice straw is prohibited! As a rule of thumb, "all must go back to the field except the grain (M. Fukuoka)". So all the rice straw is spread on the ricefield.We will consider Day zero as the date of transplanting so we will have dates before transplanting (DBT) and dates after transplanting (DAT). For example if the date of sowing is 18 days before transplanting we will write DBT 18.

The quantities are good for 1 ha and we use 6 backpaks (17L) per ha except for the task 1. The variety of organic rice is Masipag AG-5. As for the preparation of concoctions, use water without chlorine treatment. Spray early morning or late afternoon but not under sun.

TASK 1 - DBT 25 - LAND PREPARATION - SPRAYING MICRO-ORGANISMS

Water management: The field is not flood

Spray the 994 L EMExtended (see Part 1 for preparation), molasses and water for 1 ha of rice field.

 A power sprayer is needed for a rice field this size.

TASK 2 - DBT 25 - LAND PREPARATION - SPREADING VERMICOMPOST

If natural farming (NF) protocol is used for the first time after conventional farming, 20 bags of 50 kg per ha is recommended. As the level of organic matter increases, 15 bags are enough the second year

 and 10 the third year. It is possible to line and drag the sacks to distribute

 the vermicompost and then plow perpendicularly.

TASK 3 - DBT 25 - LAND PREPARATION - MINIMAL TILLAGE

Practice a light harrowing no more than 10 cm to disturb as less as possible the structure of the soil. Do not turn the soil. Suyod (tiller) is a good tool to do it.

From this date to the date of transplanting, the micro-organisms will recycle the rice straw and the waste of the last crop. The organic fertilization is on the way.

TASK 4 - DBT 21 - SEED & SEEDLING TREATMENT - FIRST SOAKING SEEDS

Generally a quantity of 42 kilos of seeds per ha is recommended. If only one seedling is planted 25x25 cm, 160000 seedlings are necessary. 1 kg of rice contains around 42000 grains, so 5 kg of seeds (210000 grains) are enough. Transplant 1 seedling only per hill avoid the root competition which happens with  many seedlings per hill. With square 25x25 cm roots and canopy will be greater and will not lack of oxygen.For safety I prepare 10 kg of seeds on 4 m² of beds for 1 ha of rice field.

Seeds are first soaked 8h in a mixing (for exemple 10PM to 6 AM):

OHN, 50 ml

FPJ Riceplant, 50 ml

Coconut vinegar, 50 ml

Water, 10 L

TASK 5 - DBT 20 - SEED & SEEDLING TREATMENT - SECOND SOAKING SEEDS

Put the seeds in a bag and place it under running water, or in the irrigation canal or change the

 water every 3 hours. Total soaking is 16 hours (for exemple from 6AM to 10PM, especially if changing water).

TASK 6 - DBT 20 - SEED & SEEDLING TREATMENT - INCUBATION

Incubate the seeds in the bag 36 hours (for example from 10 PM DBT 20 to 10 AM DBT 18). 

TASK 7 - DBT 18 - SEED & SEEDLING TREATMENT - SOWING

Water management of seedbeds (basins): Water basins every day. Do not water 2 days before transplanting

Seedbeds are basins 17 cm deep and 55 cm diameter with holes for drainage of water at the bottom and filled with coco coir or, if lacking, coco saw dust. One basin is equivalent to 1/4 m² of seedbed, good for 625 g of seeds and 625 m² of rice field. The advantage is an easy management (protection and transportation, stocking for replanting and no risk of flood). When it is time for

transplanting, the seedlings stay protected in the medium until the moment of transplantation. The excess of seedling can be used to prepare FPJ Riceplant. (Picture: stocking of basins with medium in the nursery before sowing).

TASK 8 - DBT 14, DBT 7, DBT 1 - SEED & SEEDLING TREATMENT -  3 SPRAYINGS

Spray the mixing every week until transplanting:

FPJ Riceplant, 25 ml

FAA, 25 ml

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

TASK 9 - DBT 3 - LAND PREPARATION - 1 SPRAYING

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

EME 1:1:20, 37 ml

Molasses, 37 ml

FPJ Riceplant, 29 ml

FAA, 29 ml

OHN, 29 ml

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

The white molds appear within 2 days acting like a vaccination of the field.

TASK 10 - DT - TRANSPLANTING (18 to 21 days after sowing)

Water management: MOIST BUT NOT FLOOD. Allow water into the field DAT 3-4

Bring the basins to the place of transplanting. One basin is good for 625 m² of rice field. After transplanting, the medium (coco coir or cco sawdust) can be reused for the next crop.

Soak the seedlings 15 seconds in a mixing:

OHN, 100 ml

FPJ Riceplant, 100 ml

Coconut vinegar, 100 ml

Water, 10 L

and transplant immediately 1/hill, 25x25cm or 30x30cm if the soil is richer in organic matter. 

Do not push the seedling and not deeper than 3 cm. The respect of the distance of planting is also very important to facilitate the mechanical weeding. Simple nylon rope with knots every 25 cm can help a good transplanting.

TASK 11 - DAT 10, DAT 25 - MECHANICAL or HAND WEEDING

If the transplanting 25x25 cm minimum is respecting, mechanical weeding

 is efficient and faster. 

TASK 12 - DAT every week, if needed - PEST MANAGEMENT

OHN is a natural pest repellent. Nevertheless, if rice pests are observed, a simple pest management program is to spray every week a mixing of Makabuhay (Tinospora rumphii) Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and hot red pepper.

For 1 ha or 6 sprayers, it needs:

2 kg of Makabuhay vines (picture),

10 kg of Kakawate,

4 cups of hot red pepper,

8 L of water,

1 TBS gratted soap (as sticker)

2 TBS alcohol,

6 glasses coconut milk.

The 3 plants are pounded and the water added. Soaking one night. After filtration, add the alcohol, the coconut milk and the soap. Mix thoroughly. 850 ml of the concoctions is poured in the sprayer and completed to 17L.

TASK 13 - AT VEGETATIVE STAGE: DAT 7, DAT 14, DAT 21, DAT 28  - 4 SPRAYINGS

Water management: from seedling stage up to flowering, irrigate and drain the field alternately, keeping soil saturated. The maximum level of water is 2.5 cm.

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

EME 1:1:20, 73 ml

Molasses, 73 ml

FPJ banana, 33 ml

OHN, 33 ml

FAA, 33 ml and LABS, 33 ml if leaves are yellowish or if stems reach 35 cm and count more than 30 leaves,

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

TASK 14 - AT CHANGE OVER PERIOD: DAT 35, DAT 42 - 2 SPRAYINGS

Water management: Maximum level of water 5 cm

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

Calphos, 67 ml

FAA, 33 ml

OHN, 33 ml

FFJ, 33 ml 

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

TASK 15 - AT CHANGE OVER PERIOD: (DAT 42), DAT 49 -  1 or 2 SPRAYINGS

Water management: Maximum level of water 5 cm

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

Calphos, 67 ml

OHN, 33 ml

FFJ, 67 ml 

FAA, 33 ml if the rice is stunted

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

TASK 16 - AT REPRODUCTIVE STAGE: DAT 56, DAT 63, DAT 70, DAT 77 - 4 SPRAYINGS

Water management: Gradually drain until soil level 2 to 3 weeks before harvesting

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

Calphos, 67 ml

OHN, 33 ml

FFJ, 67 ml 

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

TASK 17 - AT REPRODUCTIVE STAGE: DAT 84 or 2 weeks before harvesting , when flower are bloom -  1 SPRAYING

Water management: soil is drained

Spray the field with the mixing (mixing for one sprayer 17L, need 6 sprayers for 1 ha):

Calcium, 83 ml

FFJ, 83 ml 

Water for 1 sprayer, 17L

Then, and at right time, enjoy harvesting!

Step 12: Natural farming rice protocol (Part 1) - The concoctions

With the come-back of the month of January, we have to wish our readers the best possible year 2009. And more power!

We will now discover the secrets of the natural farming (NF) Masipag rice production. In this first episode we will detail how to make the different concoctions. In the second episode we will see when and how to use. Most of the receipes are proposed by Andry and Jojie Lim, pope and papess of natural farming, here in the Philippines.

Andry (left picture) introduced the original korean

 techniques of M. Cho Han Kyu's (right picture), founder of the Janong natural farming

 institute. 

Thanks to them, NF is known by more and more farmers in every islands of the Philippines (may be not yet all islands, but soon!)

We defined natural farming in the presentation of the school farm project in this blog. We can summarize the natural farming with few words:

- environment-friendly,

- higher yield,

- low cost,

- high quality,

- adaptable,

- farmer friendly,

- respect for life,

- based on the nutritive cycle theory.

This last point is probably the most difficult aspect of the NF because it needs a sense of observation of plants and experience but anybody can understand the theory and the experience is rapidly coming with the practice.

The nutritive cycle theory simply means plants and animals like humans have different nutrient needs as they are growing. Do you feed a newborn with lechon? No! It is exactly the same with plants.

During the vegetative growth stage, the plant builds its body and nitrogen is the main requirement. Next comes the cross-over and the plant prepairs to reproduction and needs phosphoric compounds like a pregnant woman needs sour food. The reproductive growth stage follows and the plant prepares its fruits and needs potassium.

With the exemple of rice we will see how to feed the plant with different concoctions and how to make it. NF is simply to give the good quantity of the good food at the good moment.

THE CONCOCTIONS (INPUTS)

As some concoctions need many weeks to be ready, it is adviced to start with the preparation of the inputs. The quantities here under are good for 1 ha. The concoctions are generally "best use before" 6 months. In our experience and for the location of Sagay the cost of the total inputs for concoctions from seeds to harvest is 725 PHP for 1ha, buying all the ingredients (except banana stem and eggshells). The vermicompost costs 250 PHP for 1 bag of 50 kg and we used 20

 bags/ha (5000 PHP).

IMO or EM1?

Microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, beneficicial fungi, actinomycetes are working for the farmer in the soil to enhance the production of plant nutrients, speed up composting and protect plants against diseases.

What is the best: Indigenous Micro-Organisms (IMO) or Effective Micro-organisms (EM)?

Opinions are divided even inside the Natural farming group of the Philippines!

The position of Dr Cho is very clear:"Use of imported or artificial micro-organisms is NOT natural farming." 

"- Why import alien micro-organisms may be dangerous for our native micro-organisms when it is safe and cheaper to produce ourself our IMO under our bamboo?" say the partisans of IMO.

"- Because we are sure to have much more easily all the types of micro-organisms needed in one bottle prepared in a laboratory under sterile conditions!" answer the supporters of EM1.

One thing is sure: IMO and EM1 work very well. IMO is probably the most difficult preparation of all the concoctions but it is really not insurmountable. If you have time, bamboo and rice, try to prepare your own micro-organisms and you will be a purist natural farmer. If you are late

 with your planning and you can find original EM1 (take care of imitations!), or if you are simply a little lazy, or for very large scale utilization, buy a bottle of alien microorganisms. With one liter of EM1 (850P) and after extension, you can treat 15 ha of land.

For this first rice crop in the school farm of Luna, with natural farming protocol, we used EM1 from Pr Teruo Higa manufactured by EM Research Philippines, Inc. in Muntinlupa City. Is it alien or philipino micro-organisms? I don't know...

What is needed to prepare dilution of EM1: molasses, tablespoon, scale, funnel and containers.

EM1 is extended and then diluted before spraying the 1 ha:

90 ml EM1

+ 90 ml Molasses
+ 1800 ml Water= 1980 ml EME 1:1:20
(wait 1 week, check degas every day)
2-12 hours before spraying, give a litle food to your workers!
+ 1980 ml Molasses+ 990 L Water

= 994 L EME:MOLASSES:WATER 1:1:500 (L)

Number of drums 200 L:   5 (for power sprayer)

Number of sprayers 17L: 59

Different techniques are used to prepare IMO. The one proposed by Andry Lim count 7 steps:

1- Fill a length of bamboo pole open or split open on one side with steamed rice,

2- Cover with Manila paper and tie with a string,

3- Protect from rainwater with plastic and from rats with metallic screen,

4- Cover with leaves under bamboos or rice straw or coconut husk,

5- Remove after 3-5 days depending of the temperature and look for white molds on the top of rice,

6- Place in a bucket 5 gallons the moldy rice+molasses 1:1,

7- Cover with Manila paper and tie with a string, 7 days incubation in a cool shaded place.

The mud like juice is used by spraying soil and plants with a mixing 2 tablespoons (TBS) for 1 L of water.

FPJ riceplant, FPJ banana

Fermented Plant Juice produced by the fermentation of plant leaves contains plant growth hormones and micronutrients which enhance plant growth by stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

For Jojie Lim "Rule of thumb: plant extract of corn plant or rice plant is fed to rice and corn is just like feeding breast milk to a baby".

Preparing FPJ riceplant needs 50 g of seeds. After soaking overnight, and 8 hours for germinating, seedling are spread on planting medium coco coir or coco sawdust in a box with drainage (see picture). After 18 days, leaves are cut and mix with same weight of molasses. Juice is filter after 7 days fermentation.

To  prepare   FPJ banana, chop 2 kg of stem and mix with 1 kg of molasses. Place something heavy 

on the mixing during 5 hours. Then cover with

 Manila paper, tie with a string and ferment 7 days in a cool shaded place. (Pictures: before and after fermentation)

For general application, use 2 TBS of FPJ for 10L of water.

FFJ

Fermented Fruit Juice is used as a foliar spray to sweeten the fruits. It contains plant growth hormones that increase the activity of microorganisms and plant nutrition.

Among many receipes, Jojie Lim recommended a 

mixture banana, papaya, pumpkin, molasses 1:1:1:3

 (1kg of each fruit is enough for 1 ha of rice). Then 

cover with Manila paper, tie with a string and ferment 7 days in a cool shaded place. (Pictures:

 before and after fermentation) 

OHN

Oriental Herbal Nutrient can be considered as a medicinal food supplement which develops the immune system of  the plant. It is also a natural pest repellant.

For 1 ha, crush 4 kg ginger and mix with 2 kg molasses and ferment 7 days. Then add 5 L of gin and wait 10 days. Extract around 4L (good for animals) then add same

 volume of gin, crushed makabuhay (Tinospora) and chili, and wait again 10 days before second extraction. Add again the same quantity as extracted for a third extraction 10 days later.

Usual use is 2 TBS for 1 L of water.

FAA

The Fish Amino Acid is the source of nitrogen for the plant.

Made with 2 kg of fish and the same weight of molasses, the fermentation is 10 to 15 days. Fill only 3/4 of the bottle to let the micro-organisms breath. 

Use 2 TBS for 1 L of water.

CALPHOS

The calcium phosphate made with animal bones (pork or cow), induce flowering and prevent overgrowth.

First, take off the meat by boiling 2 kg of bones. Put the bones in 5 gallons coconut vinegar, cover and wait 30 days.

Use 1 TBS for 3 L of water.

CALCIUM

The calcium carbonate extracted from eggshells, mollusc shells or golden apple snails (kohol) is a source of calcium and micronutrients. Of course it step in the calcium metabolism inside the plant.

For 1 ha, fry 400g crushed eggshell, cool and add to 1 gallon of coconut vinegar. Keep 20 days before filtering and keeping in airtight container.

LABS

Lactic Acid Bacteria breaks sugar into lactic acid means it is needed to convert waste and dead materials in organic matter. As it uses ammonia  produced during decomposition it reduces foul odors.

To produce LABS, the first rice wash is poured in a container until more or less 20cm high. Cover and wait 7 days. One liter of the clear middle layer is then extracted and mixed with 10 L of milk. After 7 days the yellow liquid is extracted and mixed with same quantity of molasses. (Left picture: separation between protein and fat of the milk and the serum color yellow; right picture: Extraction)

Use: 2 TBS for 1 L of water.

STORING AND PRESERVING OF THE CONCOCTION (from Natural farming manual, Pabinhi-Pilipinas, February 2006)

For: EME, FPJ, FFJ, FAA, LABS

   - Keep the cap loose. For FPJ and FFJ loosen it even more after 2 weeks,

   - Shake once a week,

   - Add molasses, 20% of the volume of the solution every month,

   - Keep 6 months or until it starts to smell bad.

For: Calphos, Calcium, OHN

   - Leave the cap loose for the first 2 weeks. Tighten the cap for 20mn and then re-open. If gas escapes the bottle upon reopening, leave it loose, if not, tighten the cap,

   - Do not shake,

   - Do not add sugar,

   - 6-12 months.