www.irri.org/irrc/

April 2006, Vol. 1, No. 2

April 2006, Vol. 1, No. 2

International Rice Research Institute

Irrigated Rice Research Consortium

RIPPLE is produced by the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The IRRC promotes international links among scientists, managers, communicators, and farmers in lowland irrigated rice environments.

Rice research for Intensied Production and Prosperity in Lowland Ecosystems

In this issueWaves of action ......................4 Saving water in Bohol, Philippines Better postharvest management to prevent forest res in Indonesia SSNM in Indonesia Ripples of change ...................8 IRRI-IRRC visits Myanmar First trainers training kicks off ICOP activities Rodent management workshop in Vietnam Research streams ..................10 Direct-seeded rice in Bangladesh and India Profiles ....................................12 Dr. Roland Buresh Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid Publications and ...................15 upcoming events

Country Outreach Programs partnering to improve livelihoods

W

e had a very favorable response to our rst issue of RIPPLE. Some people indicated that they plan to contribute articles; this is encouraging, so please make it YOUR newsletter by contributing an article with one or two photographs. We plan to publish three issues of RIPPLE in 2006. If we receive many articles from our readers, then we may publish a fourth issue this year. The nal submission date for the third issue will be 21 July 2006. In the rst issue, I highlighted the strong emphasis of the Irri-

gated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) on innovative research through our four problem-solving work groups. Another important aim of the IRRC is to facilitate rice farmers uptake of technologies and principles generated from our partnering with colleagues in the national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES). This will be achieved through NARES-led dissemination of technologies in partnership with the IRRC Country Outreach Programs. IRRC staff will work closely with our in-country partners in exchanging informa-

tion on technological development, experimentally validating the technologies, facilitating information exchange between research and extension, integrating principles and technologies, and adding value to NARES initiatives on scaling out technologies. The IRRC presently works in 10 countries. Most work groups work in only three to ve countries. Some work groups have been active for 10 years in a particular country, while others have been active in a country for only less than a year. Therefore, not all the IRRC technologies will> continued on page 2

Planthopper outbreaks in five Asian countries

W

hat menacing creature in the 1970s has now come back and is devastating many areas in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam? It is neither Godzilla nor King Kong; the culprit is actually millions of times smaller but is nevertheless one nasty enemy, and, unfortunately, nonctional. The pest is called the brown planthopper, one of the most important pests of rice in Asia. Nilaparvata lugens, popularly known as BPH, is found in all rice environments during the reproductive stage of the rice

plant. Nymphs and adults of the insect are usually at the base of the canopy, where there is shade and high humidity. They suck the sap out of the leaf sheath and leaf blades, and they cause the yellowing or drying of plants, called hopperburn, when population densities are abnormally high. The BPH posed a major threat in Southeast Asia in the 1970s, destroying crops in many rice-growing areas. In 1977, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) conducted a workshop to review the status of the problem and discuss manage-

ment strategies. This led to new research and the development of new management practices. The BPH is considered a product of Green Revolution technologiespopulations responded favorably to the adoption of high-yielding varieties (HYVs), high usage of fertilizers and pesticides, and intensive cultivation. In particular, pesticide use led to a high mortality of predatory insects and spiders in the rice canopy. The sprays, particularly those applied in the early season, tended to disrupt naturally occurring

The adult brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). (IRRI photo)

biological control processes, thus favoring BPH development. This led to the advent of integrated pest management (IPM) and mass media campaigns to reduce insecticide use. Apart from isolated outbreaks of> continued on page 2

Ripple April 2006

Planthopper outbreaks ... from page 1

BPH populations, these actions seem to have led to the control of the BPH for the past 25 years. Recently though, in September and October 2005, and January 2006, the BPH made its presence felt again in Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam. Dr. K.L. Heong, senior scientist in the Entomology and Plant Pathology Division of IRRI, says that planthoppers are becoming a problem in these countries. In China, BPH populations are reported to be soaring, and damage is extensive. Last year, I saw the biggest outbreak ever in Zhejiang Province, Dr. Heong said. All along the highway as we traveled east were patches of hopperburn. In China, crops were also infested with the whitebacked planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, and the smaller brown planthopper (SBPH). The SBPHCountry Outreach ... from page 1

also carries the black stripe viral disease. Insecticide resistance to standard hopper pesticides, such as imidacloprid, has been reported by Nanjing scientists to be 400fold higher than baseline values. Vietnam is also seeing some BPH outbreaks, which is unusual for the region, according to Prof. Nguyen Van Tuat, director of the National Institute of Plant Protection (NIPP). The urgency is such that, in February 2006, they formed a national committee to manage BPH. During a national meeting at Can Tho on 16 February, the vice minister for agriculture, Dr. Bui Ba Bong, declared a 30-day campaign against BPH and rice blast for the Mekong Delta. This was a preventive measure in the event of the coming of a new generation of adult BPH soon. The committee produced a leaet and video on BPH detection and control, which were distributed to farmers within 2 weeks. Staff from

Abnormally high population densities of BPH cause hopperburn, or yellowing and drying of plants. (IRRI photo)

the provincial plant protection department will be updated on IPM for BPH, having been assigned to monitor BPH occurrence and to advise farmers at the district level on the timing and correct techniques in pesticide application, if required. Possible reasons for the recent outbreaks in Asia include increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, increased planting of highly susceptible variet-

ies of rice (particularly jasmine rice), insecticide resistance, and massive displacement of BPH populations by typhoons. Dr. Heong narrates that, in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, farmers insecticide sprays have increased threefold over the years, one cause being the introduction of hybrid rice. He claries, though, that it is not the mere introduction of hybrid rice that> continued on next page

be rolled out in each country. The form of the outreach programs will depend on our NARES partners. In some countries, the programs will be developed as a package of integrated principles and technologies, involving all work groups. In other countries, these programs will build on a strong extension program that is in place for a specic technology. These extension programs will act as an entry point for other IRRC technologies that have been identied as a priority by our NARES counterparts for that particular country. The role of the IRRC-IRRI staff in these outreach programs is to assist in scaling out the principles and technologies by providing logistical support to in-country champions of the IRRC technologies; this will include some limited funding; providing technical advice;2

Dr. Flor Palis (right), IRRI postdoctoral fellow, talks with farmers in Bohol Province of the Philippines about their irrigation practices and training needs. (Photo by T. Mendoza)

assisting with developing support materials for local extension experts; and conducting collaborative sociological studies on the factors that inuence the level of adoption by farmers. Also, we are interested in quantifying how farmers adopt technologies and/or processes, and the impact of the package of technologies on the liveli-

hoods of rural communities. Outreach programs are currently in place in Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Plans are being developed for Indonesia. This issue of RIPPLE will highlight some exciting developments in the extension of IRRC technologies in the Philippines, such as Dr. Ruben Lampayans updates on efforts to save irrigation water in Bohol

Province (see p. 4), and Indonesia (see SSNM in Indonesia on p. 7). In future issues of the newsletter, we will provide updates on the national outreach programs and stories on how the livelihoods of farmers who adopt the technologies have changed.Grant Singleton, IRRC coordinator (g.singleton@cgiar.org)

Ripple April 2006

Planthopper outbreaks...from page 2

causes the problem. Hybrid rice seeds are sold by seed companies that have packaged them with pesticides and prophylactic spray schedules (up to seven sprays a season). Such practice may put rice in the Red River Delta at high risk for a BPH outbreak. So how can the BPH problem be managed? IRRI recommends using less susceptible varieties of rice and the following cultural practices:

Drain the rice eld for 34 days during the early stage of infestation because planthoppers love a damp and humid environment. BPH buildup can be reduced by splitting nitrogen application, as well as through synchronous planting (within 3 weeks) and maintaining a rice-free period during the year. Other predatory insects such as hymenopteran wasps can also help get rid of planthoppers. Phytoseiid mites prey on BPH eggs, whereas mirid bugs nish off both eggs and nymphs. General predators also help in the battle against BPH, particularly spiders and coccinellid beetles.

Adults and nymphs that fall onto the water surface are also in danger of being eaten by dragonies, damselies, hydrophilid and dytiscid beetles, and bugs like nepids, microveliids, and mesoveliids. Fungal pathogens also infect BPH. IRRI has released rice varieties that contain genes for BPH toleranceIR26, IR64, IR36, IR56, and IR72 (www.knowledgebank. irri.org/riceDoctor).

Planthoppers are a secondary problem brought about by spraying insecticide for leaf-feeding insects in the early crop stages. Thus, applying early-season insecticide should be avoided to reduce the risk of hopperburn.

The concern now is that, although most countries in Asia still have low BPH populations, reports of outbreaks in Korea, China, Japan, and northern Vietnam could trigger preventive spraying patterns in the other Asian countries.

In an effort to tackle these concerns, IRRI is working closely with NARES partners in planning a review workshop to be held in Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, in May 2006. The workshop will review the new threat of planthoppers in Asia, consider new developments in BPH research and management, and identify important research gaps. This workshop will gather planthopper experts from Asian countries and advanced research institutes. In addition, the NIPP is also organizing a review workshop in April 2006 in Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information, contact Dr. K.L. Heong (k.heong@cgiar.org).Trina Leah T. Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

Site-specific nutrient management hits cyberspace

T

hanks to the Internet, rice farmers, scientists, and organizations can now access valuable information on site-specic nutrient management (SSNM) with the easy click of a mouse. The new SSNM Web site entered the information highway in January 2006. The Web site is an important tool to learn more about SSNM. The SSNM approach was developed in Asian rice-producing countries through partnerships with the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC). Basically, it is a low-technology approach that enables rice farmers to optimally feed their crops needs for essential nutrients. SSNM does not aim to either reduce or increase fertilizer use, but rather to apply nutrients at optimal rates and times when nutrients will be most benecial and lead to a high yield.

The concept of SSNM for rice was developed in the mid-1990s. It was evaluated and rened from 1997 to 2000 on around 200 irrigated rice farms at eight sites in six Asian countries through the project Reversing Trends in Declining Productivity. It was from 2001 to 2004 that the initial SSNM concept was systematically transformed through collaborations with national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) in the Reaching Toward Optimal Productivity (RTOP) work group of the IRRC. Research identied a frequent mismatch between the timing used by farmers to apply nitrogen (N) fertilizer and the growth stages at which the rice plant needs supplementary N. This lack of synchrony between N supply and plant N need can result in luxuriant vegetative growth and a crop architecture

A farmer in central Vietnam stands amidst an NPK plot. (Photo by Productivity and Sustainability WG)

A Filipino farmer checks whether his crops need fertilizer N using the leaf color chart. (Photo by Productivity and Sustainability WG)

that is favorable for diseases and insect pests. The problems can be accentuated by insufcient use of potassium (K). SSNM provides farmers with guidelines

for managing N, phosphorus (P), and K that t local conditions and are readily understood by farmers and extension workers. It ensures> continued on page 53

Ripple April 2006

Waves of action

Team works full force to save irrigation water in Bohol, Philippines

I

n Bohol Province of the Philippines, production of irrigated rice has been much lower than what is desired because of diminishing irrigation water for agriculture. In response, the governments National Irrigation Administration (NIA) prepared an action plan for the Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS). The signicant components of the plan are (1) improving operations, monitoring, and evaluation; (2) improving water distribution equity and efciency; (3) strengthening NIAirrigators association (IA)local government unit coordination; (4) rehabilitating/upgrading irrigation facilities; and (5) establishing demonstration farms on water-saving technologies. A major component of the action plan for BIIS is the implementation of a project to improve the performance of irrigation systems and increase water productivity. To effectively implement the various activities and to achieve the projects goals, a water-saving project team (WSPT) for Bohol was estab-

lished, with NIA as the lead agency. The project aims to improve the performance of the irrigation systems and increase water productivity through promoting IRRC water-saving technologies to 5,000 rice farmers, starting in March 2006.

Launch of water-saving project and its implementation

The project was launched on 21 Dec 2005 at a multipurpose training hall in Pilar, Bohol. Participants included local and national representatives from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 7, NIA, Agricultural Training Institute, provincial and municipal local government units, federations of irrigators associations, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the Irrigated Rice Research Consortiums (IRRC) Water-Saving Work Group from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Since the launch, efforts have gone full blast, with 31 watersaving agents (WSA) trained in late December 2005, and 200 IA leaders trained as water-saving ofcers in late January 2006. Eighteen demonstration farms have been established, showcas-

(Top) A eld in Bohol showcases alternate wetting and drying technology; (right) a monitoring tube helps farmers decide when they need to irrigate. (Photos by J. Janiya)

ing the IRRC technology of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) (otherwise known as controlled irrigation) combined with hybrid rice trials. Then, in February, 19 workshops were held by Engr. Billy Mejia of NIA. These were conducted in local halls, marketplaces, and even churches. Some 3,000 farmers from 19 IAs attended and the presentations were enthusiastically received.

The Bohol Integrated Irrigation System

Farmers went to church to attend one of 19 workshops by NIA. (Photo by B. Mejia)4

Three national irrigation systems are operated in Bohol, covering a total area of 10,260 ha. These are the Capayas Irrigation System (CIS) in Ubay (1,160 ha), the Bohol Irrigation System 1 (BIS 1) (4,960 ha), and the Bohol Irrigation System 2 (BIS 2) (4,140 ha), which is expected to be fully constructed in 2007. The Malinao Dam of BIS 1 in Pilar, theRipple April 2006

Bayongan Dam of BIS 2 in San Miguel, and the Capayas Dam in Ubay are all reservoir-type dams. All systems were constructed with loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The usefulness of the Bayongan Dam will greatly depend on the efcient management and operations of BIS 1 and its reservoir. Water for Bayongan Dam will come mostly from the excess water owing from Malinao Dam. This will pass through the BIS 1 main canal and into a connecting channel to Bayongan reservoir to supply the irrigation requirements of the service area of BIS 2, and add to the water supply for CIS. However, since the start of operations in 1998, BIS 1 has performed poorly because water has been inefciently used. This has contributed signicantly to the farmers low incomes.

> continued on next page

Team works ... from page 4

Usually, there is not enough water available during the dry season (December to April), especially for tail-end farmers who live farthest from the dam. This problem is aggravated by the practice of unequal water distribution and wasteful use by farmers who employ continuous ooding to irrigate their rice crop. A promising future awaits The new water-saving project is only 3 months old, but the extension activities have been conducted at a frenetic pace. The project will increase the knowledge of technical personnel and farmers with respect to water saving in the water-scarce irrigated areas of Bohol. With local champions such as Billy Mejia and the provincial and local governments in Bohol playing such active roles, the irrigated rice farmers of Bohol stand to benet from improved water-use efciency, water productivity,Site-specic nutrient...from page 3

The usefulness of the Bayongan Dam of BIS 2 in San Miguel, Bohol, in 2007 will depend on the efciency of operations and management of BIS 1 and its reservoir. (Photo by B. Mejia)

and equity of water distribution from these irrigation systems. This means higher rice produc-

tion and improved livelihoods for farm families in the region.

Dr. Ruben Lampayan (r.lampayan@cgiar.org) and Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

that farmers get good returns for their cash investment in fertilizers. Since 2005, the need to spread information on SSNM through expanded networks of NARES, NGOs, and the private sector has increased, says Dr. Roland Buresh, soil scientist from the Crop, Soil, and Water Sciences Division of IRRI. So the debut of the Web site in January 2006 is a welcome treat to those who are in much need of information on this important management technique. The new Web site (www.irri.org/irrc/ssnm) presents the principles and practices of SSNM, which are relevant to rice in all irrigated and favorable rainfed systems. The site also highlights the SSNM recommendations developed from past RTOP research at 1520 sites across Asia. The four-panel IRRI leaf color chart (LCC), a product and SSNM success story, is a simple and inexpensive diagnostic tool to monitor the relative greenness of a rice leaf as an indicator of plant N status. Its usefulness cuts across global borders since it enables N recommendations across Asia to be cross-referenced and calibrated with standardized color formulations. Already, the recently launched Web site has been well received, says Dr. Buresh. By mid-2006, it will showcase guidelines and training materials of locally adapted SSNM recommendations for any riceproducing area from easy-to-determine site characteristics and farmers responses to several interview questions. This information is currently being developed and evaluated with the help of NARES staff. Furthermore, Dr. Buresh envisions frequently updated technical materials on SSNM on the Web site in the near future.

Farmers in central Vietnam evaluate the results of an SSNM trial. (Photo by Productivity and Sustainability WG)

The management of secondary and micronutrients will also be highlighted in the future because of their increasing importance as factors that limit crop production and affect human nutrition. With all the activities and developments to further enhance knowledge on SSNM, the SSNM Web site will truly enable rice farmers to optimally supply their crops with essential nutrients. (Get to know more about Dr. Roland Buresh, his work, and interests on page 12.)Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

Ripple April 2006

5

Waves of action

Better postharvest management can contribute to forest fire prevention in Indonesia

I

n Indonesia, the IRRC Postproduction Work Group (PPWG) has joined forces with the South Sumatra Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (BPTP Sumsel) and the South Sumatra Forest Fire Management Project (SSFFMP) to reduce postharvest losses, improve the quality of rice harvests, and increase farmers income in the tidal and freshwater swamps of South Sumatra. In 2005, the PPWG provided several hermetic storage systems and a grain quality kit, including the IRRI low-cost moisture meter, to BPTP for testing, evaluation, and training purposes. On 27-28 February, PPWG leader Martin Gummert and Eugene Aquino from IRRIs Agricultural Engineering Unit served as trainers in a collaborative training workshop organized by Ir. Budi Raharjo (BPTP) and Djoko Setijono (SSFFMP). The hands-on training was conducted in Palembang and Mulya Sari villages in Banyuasin District and covered

topics such as understanding rice quality and improving farmers seeds. The 35 participants were composed of staff from BPTP (5), the agricultural extension service (12), SSFFMP (5), NGOs (3), operators of rice milling units, and key farmers from the target villages. During the training, they learned how to evaluate quality traits using the IRRI assessment quality kit and to set up and operate hermetically sealed storage systems like the 50-kg super bag and the 5-ton hermetic cocoon for safe storage of seeds. South Sumatra has around 500,000 ha of rice area, of which 30% are tidal swamps and 6% are freshwater swamps. Labor shortage during harvest in the sparsely populated areas leads to high losses and quality deterioration. Farmers often use re for clearing land in the uplands. Mechanization of production and improved postharvest management can help solve these problems. Dr. Karl Heinz Steinmann, team leader of the European

Participants practice setting up a hermetic storage system with 5-ton capacity. (Photo by M. Gummert)

Eugene Aquino of IRRI and Budi Raharjo (BPTP) show farmers in Mulya Sari village how to set up the super bags. (Photo by M. Gummert)

Participants measure paddy quality characteristics at BPTP in Palembang using the IRRI quality kit. (Photo by M. Gummert)6 Ripple April 2006

Union (EU)-funded SSFFMP, and Dr. Subowo Gitosuwondo, director of BPTP, explained that one objective of the collaboration is to increase farmers income (through value adding) to reduce the need for burning bush land and forests. Increasing the productivity of rice production and postharvest operations in the lowlands will also reduce the pressure to extend rice production to the uplands and thus the need to use re for clearing land. Thirteen priority villages out of the 200 supported villages in South Sumatra therefore received advice on rice production issues and postharvest management. As a follow-up, SSFFMP ordered 1,000 super bags from a local manufacturer in Jakarta for further evaluation in the priority villages.Martin Gummert (m.gummert@cgiar.org)

IRRC research scores high in IndonesiaSSNM for lowland rice

I

n early January 2006, the minister of agriculture of Indonesia signed a recommendation for site-specic nutrient management (SSNM) of lowland rice to be implemented starting next cropping season in March or April. The rapid roll-out or dissemination of SSNM by the government of Indonesia (GOI) is linked to the high subsidy the government provides for fertilizers for ricearound 3 trillion rupiah per year (approximately US$300 million). The fertilizer industry has lobbied the GOI for further subsidy, given the recent increases in the price of oil. Also, there are concerns that, in some regions, the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers is too high, which leads to environmental pollution. Therefore, the minister of agriculture requested a roll-out of best practices for fertilizer use, and the subsidy will be reviewed on the basis of subsequent usage patterns. SSNM is now being rolled-out in four islandsJava, Sumatera, Kalimantan, and South Sulawesi. This initiative builds upon the long-term collaborative research supported by the IRRC. The main collaborators were Dr. Roland Buresh (IRRI) and a team of scientists in Indonesia led by Dr. Irsal Las (former director of the Indonesian Institute for Rice Research and currently the director of the Indonesian Center for Soil and Agroclimate Research and Development, ICSARD) and Dr. Suyamto (director of the Indonesian Center for Food Crop Research and Development, ICFORD). A workshop on SSNM was organized in Medan, North Sumatera, in June 2005.

Attending the SSNM training seminar in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, were Dr. Sudarmadji (left), head of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology for East Java, and Dr. Suyamto, director of the Indonesian Center for Food Crop Research and Development (ICFORD). (Photo by R. Buresh)

Through that forum, scientists from national and provincial organizations endorsed the formation of a national working group on rice fertilization. This working group with scientists from ICSARD and ICFORD subsequently provided more than 1,000 location-specic fertilizer recommendations that will be rened through the use of the leaf color chart (LCC), a soil test kit, and omission-plot technique. In January 2006, Dr. Roland Buresh and Dr. Christian Witt, director of the Southeast Asia Program (SEAP) of the Potash and Phosphate Institute, Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, and the International Potash Institute (PPI/PPIC-IPI), visited Bogor to discuss the Indonesian initiative with the directors of the lead institutes and present a seminar on SSNM to scientists. A training seminar on SSNM with about 50 participants was organized on 27 January in Malang, East Java, by ICFORD and the Assessment Institute for

Agricultural Technology for East Java. Dr. Buresh and Dr. Mahyuddin Syam, IRRI representative to Indonesia, participated in the training

seminar and outlined guidelines for the use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, and procedures for using the LCC, omission plot technique, and soil testing. Dr. Suyamto said, The participants highly appreciated the guidelines provided by Dr. Buresh on the timing of applications of N-, P-, and K-based fertilizers, and procedures for using the leaf color chart, omission plot technique, and soil testing for SSNM. They will be used as a very important reference for further activities related to the implementation of the minister of agricultures decree on SSNM. This is an exciting development and provides a clear measure of the impact of IRRC research and NARES collaboration at a national level.Grant Singleton (g.singleton@cgiar.org)

IRRC welcomes two new staff members

T

wo social scientists recently joined the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) Coordination Unit, one from the eld of anthropology and the other from communication. They are Dr. Florencia G. Palis and Trina Leah T. Mendoza. Flor is a sociocultural anthropologist and postdoctoral fellow who is assisting in research on the outreach activities of the IRRC. With a background in statistics, she obtained her PhD in anthropology at the University of the Philippines at Diliman. She has been working as an associate scientist in IRRIs Social Sciences Division. Flor recently won the Outstanding Scientic Achievement award from IRRI in April 2006. Also joining the IRRC as an associate in communication and extension is Trina Leah T. Mendoza, with an MA in media studies (broadcasting) at UP Diliman and a BS in development communication at UP Los Baos. She was a writer and producer of several shows on the Philippine TV network ABS-CBN, and writer and editor of the Mango Information Network, a project under the Department of Science and Technology. She will take charge of preparing the RIPPLE newsletter and documenting IRRC activities and developments.7

Ripple April 2006

Ripples of change

IRRI-IRRC social scientists visit the golden land of Myanmar

M

yanmar is an ancient, mystical country with a rich history and culture. It is home to many Buddhist temples, including the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnicent structure that sits atop a hill overlooking all of Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar. Most of Myanmars people live in the lowland regions of the Ayeyarwaddy river valley, which is one of the worlds great ricegrowing regions. Before World War II broke out, Myanmar used to be a top exporter of rice. After the war, some sectors of its economy have not yet fully recovered, and the countrys population increased, decreasing the surplus amount of rice for export. As part of the Irrigated Rice Research Consortiums (IRRC) efforts to help maximize the potential of rice production in Myanmar, two of our social scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) visited the golden land in late January 2006. Arelene Malabayabas, a researcher from the IRRC Coordination Unit, and Ms. Zenaida Huelgas, associate scientist from the IRRI Social Sciences Division, visited Myanmar to conduct a two-day workshop on Socioeconomic Survey: Application to IRRIMyanmar Collaboration; meet with township managers and local enumerators from Khaiklat, Myaungmya, Letpandan, and Pyay townships; and pretest a draft baseline survey questionnaire. After the workshop, they visited the four townships. They met the township managers, local Myanma Agriculture Service (MAS) staff (who will serve as8

IRRC researcher Arelene Malabayabas (extreme right) interviews farmers in Khaiklat, Myanmar, with Daw Aye Aye Myint (second from right), Myanma Agriculture Service staff member. (Photo by Z. Huelgas)

An omission plot at Myaungmya, Ayeyarwaddy, in Myanmar. (Photo by A. Malabayabas)

Participants enthusiastically share their views in a group exercise. (Photo by Z. Huelgas)

the local enumerators in the eld survey), farmers, U Myint Oo (district manager of Myaungmya), and U San Maung (divisional manager of West Bago). Zenaida, with the help of Daw Aye Aye Thwe as her translator, interviewed the township managers, while Arelene pretested the baseline survey questionnaire and interviewed farmers, aided by

Daw Aye Aye Myint. From each of the four townships, they obtained the list of farmers with demonstration plots of IRRC technologies, local maps, and a list of extension workers involved in outreach programs that disseminate technologies and best crop management practices. Local enumerators were given copies of the draft baseline survey questionnaire.

A series of surveys were conducted starting in the last week of March using the revised questionnaire based on the pretest results, comments, and suggestions of the workshop participants, and inputs from IRRC Work Group leaders. The surveys will provide the baseline for follow-up surveys in 2008. Together, the pre- and postsurveys will enable IRRC to measure the impact of technologies on farmers livelihoods.Arelene Julia B. Malabayabas (a.malabayabas@cgiar.org) and Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar. org)

Ripple April 2006

DA-PhilRice and IRRI-IRRC kick off ICOP activities with first trainers training

A

training on Implementing component technologies for irrigated rice in the Philippines was conducted at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Muoz, Nueva Ecija, on 23-25 January 2006. This was a training of trainers among PhilRice staff involved with the Knowledge Management and Promotion Program drawn from PhilRice stations throughout the country, partners from the Agricultural Training Institute, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, and local government units in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Isabela. This initial activity of the IRRC Country Outreach Programs (ICOPs) aimed to present the technologies and innovations that have broad applications and are ready for wide-scale evaluation in the Philippines to our national agricultural research and extension systems (NA-

A female participant tries her hand at operating the drum seeder. (PhilRice photo)

RES) partners. It also aimed to encourage the integration of these mature technologies when promoting them to the target users rice farmers. Key component technologies of the training were Site-specic nutrient management (SSNM), Seed quality (with a focus on seed quality testing and seed storage), Crop establishment, Integrated weed management, Water-use efciency (with a focus on alternate wetting and drying), and

Eugene Aquino from the IRRI Agricultural Engineering Unit explains the benets of hermetic storage using the Superbag. (PhilRice photo)

Ecologically based rodent management. The trainees were given the chance to try out some of these technologies at the PhilRice experimental farm complex. An example of a ready-to-scale-out technology is the use of a drum seeder to sow pregerminated seeds. This technology aims to

save seeds, labor, and time in crop establishment and yet maintain or even increase yield by employing direct seeding instead of transplanting. Participants provided feedback on potential pathways and timelines for adoption of these technologies in various regions of the Philippines.Florencia G. Palis (f.palis@cgiar.org)

Ecological rodent management workshop in VietnamACIAR projects in Vietnam on ecologically based rodent management. It focuses on developing effective pathways for delivery of integrated ecologically based methods for rodent management to poor farmers in the Red and Mekong river deltas of Vietnam. The main counterpart agencies in Vietnam are the Plant Protection Department (PPD), the provincial sub-PPDs, the National Institute for Plant Protection, and World Vision. Later this year, the project will also be implemented in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. In irrigated rice crops, rodent pests are the number-one preharvest pest in Indonesia and among the top three pests in Vietnam. Rodent pests directly affect the lives of poor farmers in these countriesdamaging the growing crops, causing postharvest losses, transmitting diseases to people and livestock, contaminating food and water, and damaging buildings and other possessions. Rodent impacts are greatest among the poorer communities, who lack the capacity to absorb either the chronic losses or the occasional acute losses associated with periodic rodent population eruptions.(Published in the IRRI Bulletin, 6-10 March)9

A

(Left to right) Dr. Peter Roebeling, a resource economist, Commonwealth Scientic and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); Dr. Emma Jakku, a sociologist, CSIRO; Dr. Florencia Palis; Dr. Peter Brown, a wildlife biologist, CSIRO; and Dr. Grant Singleton.

planning workshop of the project on Sustainable Implementation of Ecological Rodent Management (SIERM) in Vietnam was held in Ho Chi Minh City on 14-15 February 2006. This new 3.5-year project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), builds on previous

Ripple April 2006

Research streams

Northwest Bangladeshdirect-seeded rice, drum seeders, and misty morningsmanagement, and new cropping system options if an early rice crop can be sown. Nutrient management with the use of a leaf color chart (LCC) will be part of the extension program. The following summarizes extension developments for the LPWG and BRRI collaboration. The emphasis is on farmer participatory research (FPR) so that farmers have their own management of the technologies. Each farmer was given fertilizer, rice seed, and training on applying DSR using the drum seeder.

I

n February 2006, Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Grant Singleton from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) trekked to northwest Bangladesh. They were graciously accommodated by their host, Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, principal scientic ofcer and head of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Regional Station at Rangpur. Dr. Johnson and the IRRCs Labor Productivity Work Group (LPWG) have had strong collaboration with Dr. Mazid and his team since 2000. They rst visited two study sites near Rangpur as well as the eld trials at the research station. In this region, a number of different cropping systems are merging, where direct-seeded rice (DSR) has enabled early planting of crops. These include T. aman rice, followed by potato, and,

Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid (third and fourth from right) talk with farmers at Rangpur, Bangladesh. (Photo by G. Singleton)10

in some instances, even maize was planted in the furrows 2 weeks before the potato harvest. It is hoped that the more exible cropping calendar will lead to improved productivity and a reduction in the hungry period or monga. Their next stop was Rajshahi, a university town and center of the silk industry, which is located in the central-western region. On the way to Rajshahi, they saw a large ood-prone region (Chalan Bil lowland region) that can have only one rice crop a year (boro crop). Previously, deepwater rice was grown there, but now, with boro rice technology, yields are much higher and the rice crop is grown at a different time. Other areas have minimum-till garlic followed by late boro rice or deepwater rice (if farmers cannot sow until March). Sowing DSR as soon as the oods recede assists in the timely cultivation of crops. Currently, most of the rice is transplanted. However, labor shortages can occur because everyone is trying to plant at the same time. So, there is great potential for DSR using the drum seeder. Moreover, due to silt deposit from the oods, nutrient levels are high, with only N required for high yields. Thus, hybrid rice is becoming popular in this region. Over the next 18 months, LPWG activities in Bangladesh will focus on promoting DSR, including optimal timing for different rice varieties (e.g., only cold-tolerant varieties can be planted in early to mid-December), weedRipple April 2006

Upland area rice-wheat system: Changmari, south Mominpur, Rangpur Sadar

In 2004 in Rangpur, 16 farmers from two groups participated in on-farm trials for DSR. This increased to 59 farmers from six groups the following year. That same year, the farmers tripled the area that contained DSR. Also, there has been an impressive level of uptake by nonparticipating farmersnow, 270 across 69 hectares are using two power tilleroperated seeders (one was bought by a farmer group). In 2006, the plans are to expand to two new villages, with each village having four new groups (with more than 10 farmers per group). An exciting development in this region has been the integrated training conducted by BRRI. The training module for farmer groups contains an integrated package of management practices for the wheat-rice cropping system (also introducing maize). With these, the whole family is taught to be involved in the planning of cropping systems, with the wives being trained on> continued on page 14

Direct seeding of rice gets warm approval in the Indo-Gangetic Plain

T

he Indo-Gangetic Plain in northern India is Indias grain bowl, producing 50% of the nations rice and wheat. In recent years, there have been concerns related to shortages of labor, which cause transplanting costs to rise and delay the planting of the rice crop. Also, there have been restrictions on the availability of water early in the season, a further cause of delay. To overcome these constraints, trials of direct-seeded rice (DSR) have been conducted. Rice can be directly seeded either through dry or wet (pregerminated) seeding. Dry seeding of rice can be done by drilling the seed into a ne seedbed at a depth of 23 cm. Wet seeding requires leveled elds to be harrowed and then ooded (puddling). The eld is left for 1224 hours after puddling, then germinated seeds (4872 hours) are sown using a drum seeder. Seed can be broadcast for either dry or wet seeding, but manual weeding is more difcult. Indeed, weed management is a critical factor in direct seeding. Timely application of herbicides (timing is

dependent on the method of seeding) and one or two hand weedings provide effective control. The IRRCs Labor Productivity Work Group (LPWG), with the coordination of Dr. David Johnson, has conducted farmer trials of DSR in the states of Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The collaborating agencies are the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) at Pantnagar, the Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (NDUAT) at Faizabad, the Chandra Shektar Azad Agricultural (CSA) University at Kanpur, and the Rajendra Agricultural University (RAU) at Patna. In 2003, there were 48 on-farm trials conducted on 89 ha. In 2005, this rose to 111 on-farm trials on 975 ha. In February 2006, we visited some of the on-farm trials together with Dr. V.P. Singh and Dr. R.K. Singh to discuss the efcacy of DSR during the previous wet season (kharif). We visited more than 10 farms, and all the farmers were very positive about DSR. Most planned to increase the area planted to this crop in 2006.

Staff from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) and LPWG visit the eld trials (from left to right: Abnish Kumar, David Johnson, V. Pratap Singh, Vipin Chandra Dhyani, Girdhar Sharma). (Photo by G. Singleton)

Dr. David Johnson (left) and Sanjay Juneja observe a zero-tilled wheat crop planted at the optimal time due to a preceding directseeded rice crop. (Photo by G. Singleton)

One farmer, S.D. Singh Raghuvanshi, said, Direct seeding is a good thing because it saves money and time. I can sow at least 10 days earlier (than transplanted crop), which is a very good thing. This enables me to take full advantage of the rains. The yield is also good and the weeds are no greater a problem than in transplanted rice. Most of my neighbors are now using direct-seeded ricemy brotherin-law, and lots of other farmers. Another farmer, Bijendra Singh Bisht, grew all his rice (1516 ha) with DSR in the kharif crop. Next season, he will continue to sow all his rice using DSR. We asked him what he liked about DSR. He replied, Water saving, saving of labor at transplanting, and no need for nurseries. Also, [it] saves on the wear and tear of the tractor by not having to work the elds to prepare for puddling for transplanting. However, he cautioned that rodents are a greater problem in DSR than in transplanted rice. A third farmer, Sanjay Juneja, commented, Direct-seeded rice is better than transplanted riceit is the number-one crop.

This season, I will plant sare (all) my rice by direct seeding. Last season, I planted only half of my crops using direct seeding. He observed that some neighbors who had visited his farm are now planning to use DSR. Already, ve to six farmers in his village have adopted direct seeding. Dr. Johnson and his colleagues in India are conducting long-term trials on a research farm to monitor changes in weed communities with the change to DSR. There may be a buildup of weeds in DSR and zero-tillage wheat with time. More research is in progress but a rotation of crops (e.g., to sugarcane) could be a solution. Their plot trials also enable them to compare yields. They found that DSR can produce similar or higher yields than transplanted crops. This result is supported by the high acceptance of this technology by farmers who have been involved in the on-farm trials and the diffusion of the technology to their neighboring farmers. Direct-seeded rice is a crop of the future in this food bowl of India.Grant Singleton (g.singleton@cgiar.org)11

.

Ripple April 2006

Proles

A soil scientist through and throughof the IRRC Work Group on Productivity and Sustainability, a task that demands a great deal of his time. He also handles the long-term experiments at IRRI, which he enjoys a lot since he is constantly learning from them. In addition to those, he leads a project across several Asian countries on managing crop residues and has responsibilities in the IRRI-CIMMYT alliance on intensive systems. When one hears the name Dr. Buresh, it is most likely that the term site-specic nutrient management or SSNM is not far from turning up. Says Dr. Buresh: In the area of crop and resource management, its one of the things that we can say is really developed, formulated, and evaluated through IRRI and partnership with NARES. Without IRRI, site-specic nutrient management for rice would not exist, whereas many other technologies on crop and resource management would exist in some form, even if IRRI did not get involved. But site-specic nutrient management as a low-technology approach for rice is something that, without IRRI, and IRRIs involvement in the conceptualization, would not be here today. At the same time, he believes that SSNM is where it is today because of partnerships with the national programs. He feels strongly about SSNM because it provides a set of principles on nutrient management and an approach to nutrient management thats really applicable across all lowland rice-growing areas, in any place in the world. He calls SSNM an international public good and believes that if people understand the principles of SSNM, this could change the way people think about nutrient management. In the future, he hopes that this breakthrough can be read in textbooks so the next generation of agricultural workers can benet from it. At the moment, the rst challenge he faces is to inuence the scientic community. He and his colleagues have given much effort over the last 2 years by getting out publications and launching the SSNM Web site (www.irri. org./irrc/ssnm). The second step is to reach the technical people in national programs at the local level who can act as messengers> continued on next page

H

is solemn demeanor may seem intimidating at rst, but once the towering scientist speaks softly with his clear voice and organized thoughts, it is as though you are listening to your favorite college professor. He is Dr. Roland Buresh, a senior soil scientist at IRRI. Dr. Buresh is the leader

One of Bangladeshs local championsRegional Station at Rangpur. Dr. Mazids career at the BRRI spans almost three decades, from the time he started as scientic ofcer in 1977, working at the Gazipur headquarters, to becoming head of the regional station at Rangpur. BRRI has had a long and fruitful collaboration with IRRI. Dr. Mazid in particular has worked with a number of IRRI scientists, and more recently with Dr. David Johnson and the IRRC Labor Productivity Work Group. Aside from being head of the regional station at Rangpur, he also serves as a site coordinator of the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE) Work Group-2 (Submergenceand Flood-prone Environment) and the Labor Productivity Group (formerly called Weed Ecology Working Group). In addition, Dr. Mazid is a collaborator with several other projects and institutions. I have been working on crop establishment methods, weed control options, and nutrient and water management on rice and rice-based cropping systems like rice-potato-relay maize, rice-wheat-mungbean, and rainfed rice-chickpea to mitigate monga (i.e., rice harvest during the hungry months of October to November), explains Dr. Mazid. His projects are aimed toward achieving food security and creating employment opportunities and thus reducing poverty in the northwest region of Bangladesh through collaboration between government and nongovernment organizations. Dr. Mazid is ecstatic with the newest developments in rice research in Bangladesh, such as the switch of crop establishment methods from traditional transplanting of rice (TPR) to directseeded rice (DSR) in early aman> continued on next page

B12

angladesh is one of the worlds most densely populated countries. Poverty has been one of the main problems of the country, where most farmers struggle to make do with small areas of land and limited resources. Luckily, Bangladesh has been blessed with a good climate for growing rice, and the crop grows in

almost all parts of the country. Fortunately for Bangladesh, too, there are dedicated and hard-working people like Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, who has spent most of his lifes efforts to help uplift the country from poverty and hunger. Dr. Mazid is a principal scientic ofcer and head of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)

Ripple April 2006

A soil scientist... from page 12

between scientists and farmers. Even with so many things keeping him busy, Dr. Buresh certainly has no lack of other interests. There are so many interesting things in life and so many interesting things to do; my task is to limit my interests to get the job done, he shares with a smile. Dr. Buresh has worked on other crops on other continents, including agroforestry, and, surprisingly, he had very diverse majors in college. While his undergraduate major was in chemistry and his masters degree was in soil science, his PhD was in marine sciences, a far leap from the two. Another thing that most people would probably not know about Dr. Buresh is that he actually grew up on a farm and worked for farmers to earn money to go to college. He has driven a grain truck and a combine harvester to harvest wheat, custom-sprayed herbicides for grains, and, yes, even milked a lot of cows. And he is thankful for all his practical experiences. A lot of what I know about agriculture is from my personal experience, growing up on aOne of Bangladeshs ... from page 12

farm and working for farmers when I was in college, he reveals. That helped me very much, giving me a practical background, and giving me an idea of some of the ways farmers think and process information. So does this busy soil scientist ever relax? Yes, as a matter of fact, he does. He enjoys jogging and would have played more softball and basketball if he had had more leisure time. He was also lucky to have shared a unique Asian cultural experience with his wife and daughter in Hue, Vietnam, the rst place he showed his family outside the Philippines. In the meantime, he would like to better understand the issues of sustainability in the future. He hopes that, in 23 years, the work group will come up with a plant canopy or plant type based management of rice that will work anywhere in Asia, providing a set of principles that could be applied in any part of the rice-producing world.Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

Dr. Roland Buresh (extreme right) visits an SSNM evaluation in northern Vietnam with NARES partners. (Photo by Productivity and Sustainability WG)

TeamEDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION TEAM: IRRC: Grant Singleton, Ma. Theresa Tenorio, Trina Mendoza CPS: Tess Rola, Bill Hardy, George Reyes, Boyet Lazaro, Grant Leceta CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS: Ruben Lampayan, Martin Gummert, Florencia Palis, Arelene Malabayabas

(wet season) and boro (dry season) rice. He sees, however, that the main problem is in information dissemination and technology transfer. I nd direct-seeded rice technology very promising, but the biggest challenges are the slow dissemination of information to farmers due to limited extension service, and the large information or knowledge gaps on DSR technology and herbicide use between the extension providers and farmers, he explains. However, he does not lose heart and believes that, to solve this communication problem, there should be technology dissemination through government organizationnongovernment organization collaboration through farmers eld schools, regular monitoring, and conducting refresher training courses for eld workers and farmer promoters. He suggests preparing farmers need-based training modules on the mentioned technologies

to reduce poverty and improve livelihood. He adds that good training of trainers using multimedia presentations should be organized by researchers and the media. Mass media can also be tapped to promote these technologies through television and radio programs and commercials, and print such as posters and leaets. Aside from the boom of DSR in Bangladesh, Dr. Mazid is also enthusiastic about the increasing use of herbicides for cost-effective weed control on rice, the introduction of crop diversication such as maize cultivation-mungbean-potato-vegetables in a rice-based system, and rice research for unfavorable rice environments. With all the activities he has to do each day, what he enjoys most is closely supervising experiments, nding out the gaps and sharing the experiments with his colleagues. I enjoy most when I demonstrate our

success and activities to others and visitors, reveals Dr. Mazid. And since one of his hobbies is photography, he incorporates this love for pictures into his work by taking pictures of ongoing activities and preparing good presentations for trainers training. When hes not busy with work, his top priority is spending time with his family. I work hard in the ofce and then return home, relax with my wife and children by eating homemade food, talking, and watching TV together, reveals Dr. Mazid. He also proudly explains that his wife, Sultana Begum, cooks very well and is excellent and experienced in sewing ladies dresses. The couple has been blessed with three kids, with eldest daughter Sharmin Subrina, who now lives with her husband in Australia; elder son S.M. Mehedi Zaman, who is taking up his bachelor of science degree in electronics and electrical

engineering at the American International University in Bangladesh (AIUB); and youngest son, S. M. Mahiuzzaman, a ninth-grader studying at Dhaka. Dr. Mazid hopes to develop location-specic, need-based technologies, especially on crop establishment methods, water saving, and crop diversication, as well as on cost-effective weed control options focusing on the interaction of weeds and nitrogen use (aided by the leaf color chart). Moreover, since one of Bangladeshs main problems is constant ooding, he hopes to be able to select a variety and best-bet technology suitable for ashood submergence-prone areas. All these efforts, he said, will not go to waste, for the country he loves most because of its hospitality and environment.Trina Mendoza (t.mendoza@cgiar.org)

Ripple April 2006

13

Quiz

by Ruben Lampayan

1. How many liters of water are required to produce one kg of rice grain? 2. What agricultural crop is considered the single biggest user of irrigation water? 3. What growth stage of the rice crop is most sensitive to drought or water stress?

Debunking the myth of continuous ooding in rice production Fact:Myth:Farmers ghting for access to irrigation water is a century-old institutional problem, especially in large irrigation systems in Asia. Farmers at the upper portion of the canals divert more water into their rice elds, depriving farmers at the tail-end portion of canals of their share. A farmer from the upper part of the canal was asked why he took more water for his eld than the others. He said, Water is life, and I believe that the more water I put into my eld, the higher the yield I will get from my rice crop. Water is essential in sustaining life, and we should use it wisely, and carefully. Most rice farmers in Asia have gotten used to the idea of continuously ooding their elds for most of the growing period. This practice is tied up with weed control, ease of transplanting, and the belief that reducing the amount of water used will be harmful to the plant. However, rice is a semiaquatic plant, which means that it can grow under ooded or nonooded conditions. During the vegetative growth stage, irrigation may be applied to the eld a number of days after the disappearance of ponded water. This scheme can produce substantial water savings at the eld level of 2030% without reducing yield.

Northwest Bangladesh ... from page 1 0

seed health and seed preservation. Technologies covered in the training include solarized rice seedbeds, information on early-maturing varieties of rice, nitrogen management by LCC (and liming), use of long-duration varieties with direct-seeding and drum seeder technology, and efcient weed management.

Rice-rice: Tampad and Dorsana, Rangpur

The dominant cropping practice in this region is T. aman rice followed by boro rice. In 2004, 20 farmers from two groups (10 per group) were involved in on-farm trials. For the boro rice season, the technologies adopted were DSR by a drum seeder, weed control options, and need-based nitrogen management using the LCC. The latter led to less nitrogen than had been applied previously by farmers. In 2005, there were 40 farmers from four groups, and 22 farmers planted DSR using a drum seeder. The plan is to add another two groups this year. Clearly, the LPWG-BRRI collaboration in the misty plains of Rangpur is providing new opportunities to rural families in this region, which typically experiences a two-month food shortage each year.Grant Singleton (g.singleton@cgiar.org)14

A farmer in Rangpur, Bangladesh, leveling his eld. (Photo by G. Singleton)

Ripple April 2006

Answers to quiz: 1. 3,0005,000 liters, 2. rice or paddy, 3. owering stage

Publications

International journals

Peng S, Bouman BAM, Visperas, RM, Castaeda A, Nie Alam M, Murshedul, Ladha JK, FoyLixiao, Park Hong-Kyu. 2006. junnessa, Rahman Z, Rahman Comparison between aerobic Khan S, Harun-ur-Rashid, Khan and ooded rice in the tropics: AH, Buresh RJ. 2006. Nutriagronomic performance in ent management for increased an eight-season experiment. productivity of rice-wheat Field Crops Res. 96:252259. cropping system in Bangladesh. Field Crops Res. 96:374386. Samson MI, Laureles EV, Larazo WM, Gines HC, Buresh Bouman BAM, Yang Xiaoguang, RJ. 2005. Benets of realWang Huaqi, Wang Zhimin, time N fertilizer manageZhao Junfang, Chen Bin. ment within four years in 2006. Performance of aerobic two long-term experiments rice varieties under irrigated (IRRI & PhilRice). Philipp. conditions in North China. J. Crop Sci. 30(3):3751. Field Crops Res. 97:5365. Xue Chang-Ying, Yang Xiao-Guang, Peng S, Buresh RJ, Huang J, Yang J, Bouman BAM, Feng Li-Ping, Zou Y, Zhong X, Wang G. 2006. Gon van Laar, Wang Hua-Qi, Overcoming low N use efciency Wang Pu, Wang Zhi-Min. in irrigated rice systems in China. 2005. Preliminary approach on Field Crops Res. 96:3747.

adaptability of ORYZA2000 model for aerobic rice in Beijing region. Acta Agron. Sin. 31(12):15671571. [in Chinese with English abstract] Yang Xiaoguang, Bouman BAM, Zhang Qiuping, Xue Changying, Zhang Tianyi, Xu Jianyong, Wang Pu, Wang Huaqi. 2006. Crop coefcient of aerobic rice in North China. Trans. Chin. Soc. Agric. Eng. 22(2):3741. [in Chinese with English abstract] Yang Jie, Yang Xiaoguang, Wang Huaqi, Wang Pu, Bouman BAM. 2005. Soil water characteristics of farmland of aerobic rice. Chin. J. Eco-Agric. 11(3):8286.

Conference proceedingsChandrasekar V, Gummert M, Thangavel K, Rickman JF. 2005. Development of rice hull furnace for preheating the air for paddy drying. Paper presented at the International Conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, 10-13 Aug 2005, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Gummert MG, Chandrasekar V, Hien PH, Nghi NT, Ban LV, Aquino E, Rickman JF. 2005. Adaptation of an automatic downdraft rice husk furnace for use with commercial paddy dryers. Paper presented at the Fourth Asia Pacic Drying Conference (ADC 2005), 13-15 Dec 2005, Science City, Kolkata, India.

Upcoming events (April-October 2006)Conferences and Congresses18th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS), Philadelphia, USA 9-15 Jul 2006. For more information, visit www.iuss.org. 3rd International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management, Thang Loi Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam, 28 Aug-1 Sep 2006. For more information, visit http://icrbm2006.ioz.ac.cn. 2nd International Rice Congress 2006, New Delhi, India, 9-13 Oct 2006. Congress events: 26th International Rice Research Conference: Innovations for Efciency Enhancement, 9-12 Oct. 2nd International Rice Commerce Conference: Product Diversication, Value Addition and Business Promotion, 10-11 Oct. For more information, visit www.icar.org.in/irc2006.

Training and WorkshopsConcepts and Tools for Agricultural Research Evaluation and Impact Assessment, IRRI-Los Baos campus, 10-21 Jul 2006. For details, contact Dr. Debbie Templeton: d.templeton@cgiar.org.

Post-Production WGLaser leveling, Myanmar, 20-22 April Postharvest management for improved quality of rice grain and seed, Myanmar, 24-26 April Postharvest management for improved quality of rice grain and seed, NAFRI, Lao, 10-12 May

Country VisitsProductivity and Sustainability WGAttend CCAP-supported SSNM workshop in Beijing, China, and maintain momentum of partnerships for SSNM demonstration and wide-scale promotion, 1 April 2006

Visit Bangladesh to establish a partnership with organizations to move SSNM forward at the national level, April 2006 Visit India to build partnerships with the fertilizer sector for dissemination of SSNM, April 2006 Visit Indonesia to assist in establishing eld evaluation and demonstrations of SSNM and to provide training on SSNM to key NARES partners at the provincial level, April 2006 Visit Myanmar to follow up on eld activities and to implement a work plan to evaluate, rene, and disseminate the Myanma young seedling technique in a systematic fashion, May 2006 Visit central Vietnam to provide training and backstopping for collaborative ICM research and to participate in nalizing plans for SSNM evaluation and demonstration during the second season in central Vietnam, May 2006 Visit SSNM study sites in China, September 2006

Labor Productivity WG Visit South Sulawesi and South Sumatra, Indonesia, April 2006 Joel Janiya of IRRI and Aurora Baltazar of UPLB to present results from LPWG activities at the Pest Management Council of the Philippines Conference, Davao City, Philippines, May 2006 Water-Saving WG Participate in the 56th Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers Annual Convention, Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City, Philippines, 17-21 April 2006 Conduct water-saving training (with Marianne Samson) for the ICM experiment in central Vietnam (6-10 May 2006) and southern Vietnam (11-15 May 2006) Follow-up water-saving activities and discuss with partners in Bulacan, Tarlac, and PhilRice, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (1618 May 2006), in Myanmar (4-10 June 2006), and Bohol, Philippines (13-15 June 2006) Provide technical assistance in the integrated eld water management course for agricultural technologists and farmers of Ilocos Norte, 26-28 June 200615

Ripple April 2006

Credits: The authors kindly provided pictures for their articles. Copyright for pictures belongs to the authors. Please direct further correspondence, comments, and contributions to Dr. Grant Singleton IRRC Coordinator International Rice Research Institute DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila, Philippines E-mail: g.singleton@cgiar.org www.irri.org/irrc/ This newsletter presents the personal views of individual authors and not necessarily those of IRRI, SDC, or collaborating organizations in the IRRC. Copyright IRRI 2006