Fertilizer Sector Improvement (FSI+) in Burma

Transcription

1 Fertilizer Sector Improvement (FSI+) in Burma REPORT OF DRY SEASON TRIALS Trials Using the Urea Deep Placement Technique on Transplanted Rice, Broadcast Rice, and the Rice-Gram System Submitted to USAID Burma Agreement Number BFS-IO March 2018 INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTER PO BOX 2040 MUSCLE SHOALS, AL USA

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Trials Conducted in the 2017 Dry Season... 2 Materials and Methods... 3 Site Selection... 3 Varieties and Farmers... 3 Experimental Design... 4 Basal Fertilizers... 4 Treatments for Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice... 5 Treatments for Seed and Fertilizer Trial... 6 Treatments for Different Nutrient Rates Trials... 6 Treatments for Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial... 8 Treatments for UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial... 8 Treatments for the Fertilizer Management Trial in the Rice-Gram System... 9 Treatments for the Fertilizer Management Trial in the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop... 9 Treatments for UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Plot Size and Spacing Trial Failure and Loss Results and Discussion Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial Seed and Fertilizer Management Trials Nutrient Rates Trial at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan N Rate Trial Using UDP and PU P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial Fertilizer Management Trial on Rice-Gram System With UDP Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial Conclusion UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial Seed and Fertilizer Management Trials Nutrient Rate Trial at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials i

3 Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With UDP Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trials Appendix 1. Data Sheets Data of Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Tar Wa, Bago Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan Data of N Rate Trial With UDP and PU at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Data of P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Data of K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Data of S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Data of Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial at U To, Taikkyi Data of UDP and Prilled Urea Deep Placement Trial at Research Farm, Myaungmya Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Thar Kwin, Einme Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Paramidaunt, Einme Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with Starter N at Anauk Ywa, Thonegwa Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale Photos FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials ii

4 Tables Table 1. Locations and Coordinates of Field Trials, Dry Season Table 2. Varieties, Trial Types, and Collaborating Farmers for the 2017 Dry Season Trials... 4 Table 3. Experimental Designs Used for 2017 Dry Season Trials... 5 Table 4 Nutrient Rates of Each Treatment in the Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial... 8 Table 5. Plot Size and Spacing Used for Each Trial in the 2017 Dry Season Table 6. Table 7. Table 8. Table 9. Table 10. Significant Test of Source of Variations in Saline Conditions Trials at Pyapon and Bogale Average Treatment Yields (t/ha) in Saline Conditions Trials at Pyapon and Bogale Farmer s Practice Fertilizer and Recommended Fertilizer Rates (kg/acre) in Saline Conditions Trials Average Yield (t/ha) of Treatments of Seed and Fertilizer Trials at Tar Wa, Ohn Hnae Gone, and Ywar Thar Yar Mean Comparison of Significant Characteristics from the UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial Table 11. Locations, Varieties, and Activity Dates of All Trials Figures Figure 1. Yield Response With Different Urea Application Times, and Methods Compared With Control Figure 2. Response of Significant Characteristics to Various Fertilization Methods Photos Photo 1. Photo 2. Photo 3. Photo 4. Photo 5. Photo 6. Land Leveling Just Before Layout of UDP on Direct Seeded Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat, Ayeyarwady, on December 22, Seeding and UDP Application on UDP During the Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat, Ayeyarwady, on December 23, Layout, Bunds, and Basal Fertilizer Application of the Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu, Yangon, on January 31, Transplantion During the Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu, Yangon, on February 1, Marking the Crop Cut Area for Harvesting the Rice-Gram System Trial at Parami Daunt, Einme, Ayeyarwady, on March 10, Harvesting the Rice-Gram System Trial at Parami Daunt, Einme, Ayeyarwady, on March 10, FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials iii

5 Acronyms and Abbreviations ANOVA Analysis of Variance BFS Bureau for Food Security BR Broadcast Rice Ca Calcium cm centimeter DAR Department of Agricultural Research DAS Days After Seeding FSI Fertilizer Sector Improvement (a project funded by USAID) FSI+ Fertilizer Sector Improvement (a project funded by USAID extended and expanded) g gram ha hectare HYV high-yielding variety IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center K Potassium kg kilogram LSD Least Significant Difference MOP Muriate of Potash N Nitrogen P Phosphorus PU Prilled Urea RCB Randomized Complete Block S Sulfur TPR Transplanted Rice TSP Triple Superphosphate UB Urea Broadcasting UDP Urea Deep Placement USAID United States Agency for International Development FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials iv

6 Conversions To Convert To Multiply by Acre Hectare Hectare Acre U.S. ton/acre Metric ton/ha (mt/ha) 2.24 lb/acre kg/ha 1.12 kg/ha lb/acre 0.89 K2O K 0.83 K K2O P2O5 P P P2O FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials v

7 Fertilizer Sector Improvement Project (FSI+) Trials Using the Urea Deep Placement Technique on Transplanted Rice, Broadcast Rice, and the Rice-Gram System in the 2017 Dry Season, Myanmar Introduction Urea deep placement (UDP) technology is a proven technology that can increase the yield of transplanted lowland rice by 15-20% with less use of urea (up to 40%) compared to broadcast application of urea. This has been proven in Bangladesh and in sub-saharan African countries. A number of UDP adaptation trials on transplanted rice (TPR) have been conducted in Myanmar from the 2014 wet season to the 2016 wet season at select locations in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) through the Fertilizer Sector Improvement (FSI) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Results showed significant differences between UDP and other surface broadcasting practices. UDP technology showed superiority over urea broadcasting (UB) with the same rate of nitrogen (N) and the same basal application of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S). It also gave more yield than farmer s practice fertilizer application, with N rates either lower or higher and with different basal applications using compound fertilizer mixes. Average yield superiority of UDP over other fertilizer practices was 17% in the wet season and 26% in the dry season. UDP technology was equally effective in both wet and dry seasons. Nutrient use efficiency of UDP was double that of other practices. UDP gave 30 kilograms (kg) of rice grain yield per 1 kg of nitrogen. In previous seasons, UDP technology was also evaluated on broadcast seeded rice (BR), since farmers currently practice a broadcast seeding method more than a transplanting method for rice cultivation. Other trials relating to N rate, K rate, time of application, plant spacing, and fertilizer management on rice-gram cropping systems were also tested. 1 Results show the possibility of applying UDP technology on BR. With a very early variety (75 days to maturity), UDP applied just before seed broadcasting gave a higher yield than UDP application 26 days 1 Separate reports are available for all previous seasons. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 1

8 after seed broadcasting, or farmer s practice of broadcast urea application. Follow-up research during subsequent seasons using early and medium growth duration varieties found UDP application before sowing to be better with an early variety rather than a medium variety. UDP application at 21 days after sowing was better with a medium duration variety. Significant yield results between treatments were observed in an N x K trial and a plant spacing x UDP rate trial. N was deficient at all locations, and K was not critical at all locations. Plant spacing did not necessarily need to be closer. With UDP technology, closer spacing of 20 cm x 15 cm did not produce any higher yield, and wider spacing of 20 cm x 20 cm is enough to give a high yield. The N rate did not need to be increased beyond the recommended rate to give a high yield with UDP technology. No clear result was observed with long-term fertilizer management trials on the rice-gram cropping system after testing two rice crops and one gram crop. In the 2017 dry season, a long-term fertilizer trial on the rice-gram system continued with a second gram crop. Different rate trials of N, P, K, and S were conducted on the soil used in the omission pot trial, since those elements were shown to be deficient. Other new trials, such as UDP on direct seeded rice, UDP and prilled urea (PU) deep placement, seed and fertilizer practices, and UDP evaluation under saline conditions, were conducted in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady. The list of trials follows. Trials Conducted in the 2017 Dry Season Sr. No. Trials Number of Trials 1. Timing of UDP on direct seeded rice trial 2 2. Seed and fertilizer trial 3 3. N rate trial using UDP and PU on TPR 1 4. P rate trial using UDP on TPR 1 5. K rate trial using UDP on TPR 1 6. S rate trial using UDP on TPR 1 7. Balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer trial 1 8. UDP and PU deep placement trial 1 9. Fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system with UDP Fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system with starter N UDP evaluation under saline conditions trial 3 Total 18 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 2

9 Materials and Methods Site Selection In the 2017 dry season, most sites were newly selected with new farmers, except for the longterm fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system. The Myaungmya research farm continued to be used, with a new trial conducted. Nutrient rate trials were conducted with a past collaborating farmer. The coordinates of the selected sites with number of trials are given in Table 1. Soil samples from each location were dried and stored for later testing to determine initial soil conditions. Table 1. Locations and Coordinates of Field Trials, Dry Season 2017 Region Township Village Latitude Longitude Elevation Trial Type Kyauktan Ashaebine α ' N ' E 44 ft 9 Thonegwa Anauk Ywa ' N ' E 27 ft 10 Yangon Kungyangone Taw Khayan* ' N ' E 32 ft 11 Taikkyi U To ' N ' E 13 ft 7 Hlegu Ohn Hnae Gone ' N ' E 19 ft 2 Bago Tar Wa ' N ' E 40 ft 2 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin ' N ' E 60 ft 3 Bago Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin ' N ' E 60 ft 4 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin ' N ' E 60 ft 5 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin ' N ' E 60 ft 6 Letpadan Ywar Thar Yar ' N ' E 58 ft 2 Einme Thar Kwin ' N ' E 36 ft 9 Einme Parami Daung ' N ' E 35 ft 9 Myaungmya Research Farm ' N ' E 23 ft 8 Ayeyarwady Myaungmya The Pyay Chaung α ' N ' E 34 ft 1 Bogale Pain Chaung Phyar ' N ' E 13 ft 11 Kyaiklat Hle Sate ' N ' E 22 ft 1 Pyapon Auk Kwin Gyi ' N ' E 14 ft 11 α Failed trials mistakenly harvested by farmers at harvest time. * Trial dropped for not having drainage system with uneven land. Varieties and Farmers Varieties and farmers for all locations are given in Table 2. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 3

10 Table 2. Varieties, Trial Types, and Collaborating Farmers for the 2017 Dry Season Trials Township Village Farmer Variety Trial Ref. No. Kyauktan Ashaebine U Aung Myo Shwe War a Improved 9 Thonegwa Anauk Ywa U Zaw Wate Shwe War Improved 10 Kungyangone Taw Khayan U Htay Shein PMMS b HYV c 11 Taikkyi U To U Kyaw Win Thee Dat Yin HYV 7 Hlegu Ohn Hnae Gone U Taing Kyaw Thee Dat Yin HYV 2 Bago Tar Wa U Zin Mg Mg Oo Thee Dat Yin HYV 2 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin U Tin Win Yadanar Toe HYV 3 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin U Tin Win Yadanar Toe HYV 4 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin U Tin Win Yadanar Toe HYV 5 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin U Tin Win Yadanar Toe HYV 6 Letpadan Ywar Thar Yar Daw Ni Ni Aye Yadanar Toe HYV 2 Einme Thar Kwin U Aung Htay Win Yezin 3 d Improved 9 Einme Parami Daung U Thet Naing Soe Yezin 3 Improved 9 Myaungmya Research Farm U Htain Lin Tun Thee Dat Yin HYV 8 Myaungmya The Pyay Chaung U Win Thein Thee Dat Yin HYV 1 Bogale Pain Chaung Phyar U Hla Htwe PMSS HYV 11 Kyaiklat Hle Sate U Htay Win Thee Dat Yin HYV 1 Pyapon Auk Kwin Gyi U Than Lwin PMSS HYV 11 a. Shwe War = green gram. b. PMMS = Pyi Myanmar Sein (salinity-tolerant variety). c. HYV = high-yielding variety. d. Yezin 3 = black gram. Experimental Design A Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design, with different numbers of treatments (mostly 4 to 6) by 3 replications, was used in all trials except one (Table 3). One trial used a factorial design, with variety as one factor and fertilizer practice as another factor. It was conducted under saline conditions. The seed and fertilizer trial was sown in a larger plot as a simple unreplicated trial, and three random samples were taken to represent three replications to run analysis of variance (ANOVA) using RCB design, even though it had two factors. Basal Fertilizers In all of the trials, a basal fertilizer of triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MOP), and gypsum was used as the source of P, K, and S. In calculating the rates, it is assumed: TSP = 45% P2O5 or 20% P MOP = 60% K2O or 50% K Gypsum = 18% S and 23% Ca FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 4

11 Basal fertilizers of UDP-applied plots were applied with rates of TSP at 80 kg/ha, MOP at 40 kg/ha, and gypsum at 25 kg/ha. There were some different basal application with the ricegram system trials, which used different basal application rates according to treatment. Table 3. Experimental Designs Used for 2017 Dry Season Trials Ref. No Trial Name Treats. X Reps Design 1 Timing of UDP on direct seeded rice trial 4 x 3 RCB Simple Four treatments, no 2 Seed and fertilizer trial 4 x 1 replicates but three random samples 3 Different N rate using UDP and PU trial on TPR 2 x 5 x 3 Factorial 4 Different P rate trial using UDP on TPR 5 x 3 RCB 5 Different K rate trial using UDP on TPR 5 x 3 RCB 6 Different S rate trial using UDP on TPR 5 x 3 RCB 7 Balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer trial 4 x 3 RCB 8 UDP and PU deep placement trial 5 x 3 RCB 9 Fertilizer management trial on the ice-gram system with UDP 4 x 3 RCB 10 Fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system with starter N 6 x 3 RCB 11 UDP evaluation under saline conditions trial 2 x 4 x 3 Factorial Treatments for Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice There are four treatments to study time of UDP application (at seeding time and 21 days after seeding) on direct seeded rice. UDP was applied with 20 x 20 cm spacing. Treatment 1 = Zero N (Control) Treatment 2 = UDP application at sowing time (77.6 kg N/ha) Treatment 3 = UDP application at 21 days after sowing (77.6 kg N/ha) Treatment 4 = Prilled urea surface broadcast (77.6 kg N/ha) All treatments received the same basal fertilizer application. Blanket basal fertilizer of P at the rate of 80 kg/ha of TSP per hectare, K at the rate of 40 kg/ha of MOP, and Ca and S at the rate of 25 kg/ha of gypsum were applied. UDP at the rate of 77.6 kg/ha of N was applied at seeding time for Treatment 2, and the same was applied at 21 days after seeding (DAS) for Treatment 3. For Treatment 4, PU at the same rate as UDP was applied as three split applications of equal amounts. The first application was on the same day as UDP for Treatment 3 (21 DAS), the second application was at 40 days after FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 5

12 the first application, and the third application was at flowering stage. The control plot (Treatment 1 with 0 N) did not receive N fertilizer application. Dates of layout, sowing, transplanting, UDP, PU application, and harvesting are given in Table 11. Treatments for Seed and Fertilizer Trial Most farmers use their own harvested grain as the seed source for the following season. This trial was conducted to observe differences in yield between farmer s seed (which is grain, not seed) and higher quality seed produced by public/private seed growers. Two fertilizer practices of UDP and PU with balanced fertilization were also compared. Therefore, the four treatments were: 1. Farmer s seed (grain) with PU. 2. Registered seed with PU. 3. Farmer s seed (grain) with UDP. 4. Registered seed with UDP. Blanket basal fertilizer of TSP at 80 kg/ha, MOP at 40 kg/ha, and gypsum at 25 kg/ha was applied on all treatments. The N rate was the same (77.6 kg N/ha) for all PU and UDP treatments. UDP was applied one time only at seven days after transplanting by placing one 2.7-g briquette in the middle of every four rice hills at a depth of 7-10 cm in the soil. PU was applied as three splits one at the same time as UDP application, the second at 20 days after the first application, and the third at flowering stage. Treatments for Different Nutrient Rates Trials According to the omission pot trial, the farmer s soil in Letpadan was deficient N, P, K, and S. The field trials were designed to evaluate how much nutrient to apply on this soil. Four rate trials of N, P, K, and S were conducted on TPR in the farmer s field. N was applied as UDP and broadcast PU. The N rate trial used a factorial design, and the others used an RCB design. UDP was applied as N fertilizer in other element rate trials (P, K, and S). Each trial included five different nutrient rates: No. N Rate Trial P Rate Trial K Rate Trial S Rate Trial 1. Control Control Control Control kg N/ha 50 kg P2O5/ha 50 kg K2O/ha 10 kg S/ha kg N/ha 100 kg P2O5/ha 100 kg K2O /ha 20 kg S/ha kg N/ha 150 kg P2O5/ha 150 kg K2O /ha 30 kg N/ha FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 6

13 kg N/ha 200 kg P2O5/ha 200 kg K2O /ha 40 kg N/ha N Rate Trial TSP at 50 kg/acre (56 kg P2O5/ha or 25 kg P/ha), MOP at 25 kg/acre (37 kg K2O/ha or 30 kg K/ha), and gypsum at 20 kg/acre (9 kg S/ha) were applied as basal fertilizer for all treatments just before transplanting. UDP was applied only once at seven days after transplanting using 1.8-g briquettes. Treatment 2 (50 kg N/ha) needed one 1.8-g briquette per four rice hills, and Treatments 3, 4, and 5 needed two, three, and four briquettes per four rice hills to meet the N dosage. PU was applied as three split applications in equal amounts. The first application was the same as the UDP application, the second application was at maximum tillering stage, and the last application was at flowering stage. P Rate Trial MOP at 25 kg/acre (37 kg K2O/ha or 30 kg K/ha) and gypsum at 20 kg/acre (4.5 kg S/ha) were applied as basal fertilizer for all treatments just before transplanting. Different rates of P fertilizer were also applied as basal. UDP was applied as the N source at 100 kg N/ha. It was applied one time only seven days after transplanting by placing two 1.8-g urea briquettes 3-4 inches deep in the soil. K Rate Trial TSP at 50 kg/acre (55.6 kg P2O5/ha) and gypsum at 20 kg/acre (8.9 kg S/ha) were applied as basal fertilizer for all treatments just before transplanting. Different rates of K fertilizer (MOP) were applied as basal. UDP was applied as the nitrogen source at 100 kg N/ha. It was applied one time only seven days after transplanting by placing two 1.8-g urea briquettes 3-4 inches deep in the soil. S Rate Trial TSP at 50 kg/acre (55.6 kg P2O5/ha) and MOP at 25 kg/acre (37 kg K2O/ha) were applied as basal fertilizer for all treatments just before transplanting. S treatments were applied as gypsum at the time of basal fertilizer application. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 7

14 UDP was applied as the N source at 100 kg N/ha. It was applied one time only seven days after transplanting by placing two 1.8-g urea briquettes 3-4 inches deep in the soil. Treatments for Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial Many farmers apply compound fertilizer as basal in rice cultivation. This trial was designed to study the benefits of applying compound fertilizer in a balanced application. There were four treatments in this trial with three replications. Compound fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 15:15:15 (N:P2O5:K2O) was used, since this is the formula most commonly used by farmers. Treatment 1 = compound (15:15:15) 160 kg/ha, gypsum 25 kg/ha, and PU 117 kg/ha Treatment 2 = TSP 80 kg/ha, MOP 40 kg/ha, gypsum 25 kg/ha, and UDP 169 kg/ha Treatment 3 = compound (15:15:15) 160 kg/ha, TSP 26.7 kg/ha, gypsum 25 kg/ha, and PU 117 kg/ha Treatment 4 = compound (15:15:15) 247 kg/ha and gypsum 25 kg/ha Nutrient rates of each treatment are given in Table 4. Table 4 Nutrient Rates of Each Treatment in the Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial Treatments N P2O5 K2O S kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha Treatment Treatment Treatment Treatment Prilled urea was applied in three split applications for Treatments 1 and 3. Treatments for UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial This trial evaluated the response of PU deep placement compared with UDP. There were five treatments including the control: 1. Control (0 N) 2. Briquette urea deep placement (77.6 kg N/ha) 3. Prilled urea point deep placement (77.6 kg N/ha) 4. Prilled urea band deep placement (77.6 kg N/ha) 5. Prilled urea surface broadcasting (77.6 kg N/ha) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 8

15 Urea deep placement was done only one time seven days after transplanting for both briquette and prilled urea. Surface broadcast PU was applied in three split applications in equal amounts. Blanket basal fertilizer applications of TSP 80 kg/ha, MOP 40 kg/ha, and gypsum 25 kg/ha were applied on all treatments just before transplanting. Treatments for the Fertilizer Management Trial in the Rice-Gram System This is a long-term trial that extends across the rice crop and the gram crop at the same location. The trial was conducted to study the carryover effect of nutrients on the next crop. It used a 4 x 3 RCB design. The four treatments included: Treatments on Rice Treatments on Gram 1. P2O5 60 kg/ha + K2O 60 kg/ha P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha 2. P2O5 30 kg/ha + K2O 30 kg/ha P2O5 20 kg/ha + K2O 20 kg/ha 3. P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha P2O5 60 kg/ha + K2O 60 kg/ha (no residue) 4. P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha P2O5 60 kg/ha + K2O 60 kg/ha (+crop residue) In this season, the trials were conducted with gram crops. There were two trials with black gram at Einme and one trial with green gram at Kyauktan. Treatments for the Fertilizer Management Trial in the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop The trial began with the rice crop in the previous season and continued with the following green gram crop to study improvement on the rice-gram system by applying starter N on the gram crop. There were six treatments (fertilizer applied on the rice crop is also listed): 1. 0 kg N/ha + P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha (UDP + P and K on rice crop) 2. 0 kg N/ha + P2O5 60 kg/ha + K2O 60 kg/ha (UDP with no P or K on rice crop) 3. 0 kg N/ha + P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha (PU + P and K on rice crop) 4. 0 kg N/ha + P2O5 60 kg/ha + K2O 60 kg/ha (PU with no P or K on rice crop) 5. Urea (14 kg N/ha) + P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha (UDP + P and K on rice crop) 6. Urea (14 kg N/ha) + P2O5 0 kg/ha + K2O 0 kg/ha (PU + P and K on rice crop) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 9

16 Treatments for UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions This was a new trial to test the response of UDP application under saline conditions in lowland rice cultivation. Some or most of the coastal areas in the Delta region of lower Myanmar have salinity issues due to sea water, especially in the dry season. Farmers still grow rice in these areas using local salinity-tolerant varieties. This trial included two varieties (an improved salinity-tolerant and a local popular) and four fertilizer practices. The improved salinitytolerant variety was Pyi Myanmar Sein, selected by the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR). The local popular variety at Bogale was Bay Gyar, and at Pyapon, it was Thee Dat Yin. There were eight treatments (2 varieties x 4 fertilizer practices) with three replications in this trial. Treatments are described below. Fertilizers 1. F1 Farmer s practice of conventional broadcast 2. F2 Extension recommended rate 3. F3 Granular urea deep placement 4. F4 UDP Varieties 1. V1 Local popular variety: Bay Gyar at Bogale and Thee Dat Yin at Pyapon 2. V2 Salinity-tolerant variety: Pyi Myanmar Sein One trial planned for Taw Khayan in Kungyangone township was not planted. Two trials were successfully established at Bogale and Pyapon. Farmer s practice fertilizer (F1) varied according to location. The Bogale farmer applied TSP at 50 kg/acre as basal and urea at 100 kg/acre in three split applications. The Pyapon farmer applied no basal fertilizer but did apply urea at a rate of 75 kg/acre in three split applications. Extension-recommended fertilizers (F2) were also different from one location to another. The Bogale recommendation rate was TSP at 50 kg/acre and MOP at 25 kg/acre as basal fertilizer and urea at 75 kg/acre in three split applications. The Pyapon recommendation rate was urea at 100 kg/acre with the same basal as in Bogale. Treatments 3 and 4 had the same N rate of 77.6 kg/ha. F3 used granular urea, and F4 used UDP. PU was applied as three split applications in equal amounts. UDP was applied one time only FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 10

17 seven days after transplanting. Basal fertilizer of TSP 80 kg/ha, MOP 40 kg/ha, and gypsum 25 kg/ha was applied on both treatments. Plot Size and Spacing There are variations in plot size among trials according to the type of trial and the kind of treatment. Many trials were conducted with a plot size of 16 ft x 16 ft. The N rate trial had the same total area (256 ft 2 ); however, it was rectangular instead of square in shape. Plot sizes used in specific trials are given Table 5. A detailed plan is available in the trial protocols. Table 5. Plot Size and Spacing Used for Each Trial in the 2017 Dry Season Ref. No Trial Name Plot Size TPR Spacing 1 Timing of UDP on direct seeded rice trial 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 2 Seed and fertilizer trial 32 ft x 40 ft 8 x 8 3 Different N rate using UDP and PU trial on TPR ft x 24 ft 8 x 8 4 Different P rate trial using UDP on TPR 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 5 Different K rate trial using UDP on TPR 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 6 Different S rate trial using UDP on TPR 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 7 Balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer trial 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 8 UDP and PU deep placement trial 16 ft x 16 ft 8 x 8 9 Fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system with UDP 16 ft x 16 ft Broadcast 10 Fertilizer management trial on the rice-gram system with starter N 16 ft x 16 ft Broadcast 11 UDP evaluation under saline conditions trial 13.3 ft x 20 ft 8 x 8 Trial descriptions, with variety used, sowing date, UDP date, fertilizer application date, and harvest date, are shown in Table 11. Trial Failure and Loss Table 11 shows that, of the 18 trials, three did not reach harvest. The UDP evaluation under saline conditions trial at Taw Khayan, Kungyangone, was dropped at transplanting time. The land was deeply flooded at one corner and did not have a drainage system. The opposite corner had no water. Two other trials failed at harvest time. The fertilizer management trial in the ricegram system at Ashae Bine, Kyauktan, was a green gram crop and in good condition, but the farmer harvested two days before the appointed harvest date and no data were collected. The UDP on direct seeded rice trial at The Pyay Chaung, Myaungmya, was also in good condition, but a combine operator harvested part of the crop (more than one replication) while harvesting the neighboring plots. The farmer from Kyauktan was not willing to continue with the trial on his land. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 11

18 Results and Discussion Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial This trial was conducted at two locations, but the trial at The Pyay Chaung, Myaungmya, was lost after a combine operator harvested part of the trial by mistake. A full data set was recorded from the trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat. (Refer to Data of Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat.) Significant results were found in plant height, number of panicles per hill, and biomass dry grain weight. Significant differences in plant height occurred between urea-applied plots and the control plot only. Plant heights of urea-applied plots, both UDP and PU, were not different. Plant heights of urea-applied plots were 78 cm for UDP applied before sowing and 77 cm for UDP applied after sowing and for broadcast prilled urea. The control plot had a plant height of 71 cm. UDP application after sowing treatment produced the highest number of panicles per hill with UDP application before sowing treatment produced 22.9 panicles per hill. These were not different according LSD(0.05), but they were different from the PU broadcast treatment, which produced 19.1 panicles per hill. The control plot produced 14.6 panicles per hill, which was significantly lower than all other treatments. Biomass dry grain weight was the highest (472 g) with UDP after sowing, which was significantly different from all other treatments. UDP at sowing time had a 356-g biomass dry grain weight, which was not different than the PU broadcast treatment that had a 326-g biomass dry grain weight. There were no significant differences in other characteristics or yield. Figure 1 shows that UDP application at sowing time gave the highest yield with 3.28 t/ha; UDP after seeding gave the second highest yield with 3.19 t/ha, followed by the PU treatment with 2.70 t/ha. The control produced only 1.79 t/ha. However, they were not statistically different. This trial used an early maturing popular variety, Thee Dat Yin. Growth duration of Thee Dat Yin is 105 days. Applying UDP at sowing time possibly could have given the plant more time to take in the N, compared with applying 21 days after sowing. More N could have remained in the soil when applied 21 days after sowing. Other characteristics showed variable results; some had highest values with UDP application after sowing and some with PU broadcast treatment. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 12

19 Figure 1. Yield Response With Different Urea Application Times, and Methods Compared With Control Seed and Fertilizer Management Trials This trial was conducted at three locations as a simple trial, with a larger plot size of 32 ft x 40 ft and no replications. Three representative samples were harvested from each treatment to perform ANOVA. Farmer s seed was tested against registered seed with two different fertilizer practices (balanced fertilization with UDP and farmer s practice). Registered seed of a popular early maturing variety, Thee Dat Yin (produced by a research farm), was provided to farmers to compare with their own seed. Tar Wa, Bago Significant results at P(0.05) were found with regard to panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, and fresh and dry biomass grain weights. Fresh biomass straw weight showed high significance at P(0.01). The UDP treatment with registered seed gave the highest yield (5.11 t/ha). UDP with farmer s seed produced 4.57 t/ha. The PU treatment gave similar yields with both seeds 4.28 t/ha with farmer s seed and 4.27 t/ha with registered seed. Therefore, yield differences with seed quality were observed with UDP but not with PU. However, these were not statistically different. Yield parameters showed the highest value with UDP on farmer s seed but not with registered seed. Panicle length (26.5 cm) and fresh straw biomass weight (1,929 g) for UDP and farmer s seed were significantly higher than with all other treatments. The number of spikelets per FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 13

20 panicle and biomass grain weight for UDP and farmer s seed were also highest, but the difference was not significant for all treatments. (Refer to Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Tar Wa, Bago.) Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu A significant result was observed in plant height only. Other characteristics, including yield, were not significantly different among treatments. Plant height using registered seed was the highest with both UDP (84 cm) and PU (81.0 cm); these were higher than farmer s seed with UDP (78 cm) and PU (77 cm). The significant result is assumed to be due to seed difference and not due to fertilizer practice. The plant height of registered seed was better than that of farmer s seed. All treatments gave similar yields, but the farmer s seed produced a slightly higher yield than the registered seed for both UDP and PU. Although not significant, the other characteristics produced the highest values with registered seed and UDP, except for the number of panicles per hill, for which the farmer s seed with UDP had highest number (16). (Refer to Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu.) Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan ANOVA showed the same result as that of the Ohn Hnae Gone trial. A significant difference was found with plant height only. Registered seed and UDP (126 cm) and farmer s seed with UDP (125 cm) were significantly higher than farmer s seed with PU. Registered seed with PU (121 cm) was also within in the same level of significance as the UDP treatments, but it was not significantly higher than farmer s seed with PU. According to this, UDP seemed better than PU. Seed difference was subtle. For yield, farmer s seed had slightly higher yields than registered seed with both fertilizer practices. Farmer s seed was as good as registered seed, giving similar yields. However, none of the results were significantly different for any characteristic except plant height. (Refer to Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan.) Nutrient Rates Trial at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan This trial was conducted on the field where an omission pot trial identified N, P, K, and S as being deficient. The objective of the trial was to evaluate the yield response for the deficient elements. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 14

21 N Rate Trial Using UDP and PU There were no significant differences for either factor (N rates and the kind of urea) or for the interaction of both factors. The lowest N rate of 50 kg N/ha gave the highest yield for both UDP and PU. UDP produced 3.31 t/ha and PU produced 3.87 t/ha at a rate of 50 kg N/ha. The highest yield with UDP was not different than the control plot, which produced 3.30 t/ha. With UDP, the yield gradually decreased as the N rate was increased up to 200 kg N/ha. With PU, the second highest yield of 3.43 t/ha was with control and the second highest N rate (150 kg N/ha). The yield increase or decrease was not consistent when the N rate was increased from 50 kg/ha. The main factor of data variation was seed quality and purity. The farmer did not use the seed provided by IFDC. The second factor could be poor water management; the field was continuously flooded until harvest time. (Refer to Data of N Rate Trial With UDP and PU at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR The results showed no significant differences among treatments for all characteristics except plant height. The highest P rate (200 kg P2O5/ha) and the control plot had the highest plant heights of 115 cm and 113 cm, respectively. They were statistically higher than all other treatments, which had the same height of 109 cm. The yield was the highest with the control plot (2.78 t/ha), followed by 50 kg P2O5/ha (2.75 t/ha) and 100 kg P2O5/ha (2.72 t/ha). The yield decreased when the P rate was increased from 100 kg/ha. However, the yields were not statistically different. This trial was located at a high area of the land and often had no irrigation water. Weeds played a big part in the data variability. Impurity of the farmer s seed also caused variation of data. (Refer to Data of P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR According to ANOVA, a significant difference was observed only in the number of grains per panicle. The yield and all other characteristics were not significantly different. The control plot and the lowest K rate (50 kg K2O/ha) produced the lowest yields of 3.10 t/ha and 3.03 t/ha, respectively. The highest yield (3.95 t/ha) was produced by the second highest K rate (150 kg K2O/ha). When the K rate was increased from 150 kg to 200 kg/ha, the yield decreased. Therefore, the highest K rate of 200 kg K2O/ha did not produce the highest yield; it only produced 3.22 t/ha. Other component characteristics, such as number of panicles per hill and number of grains per panicle, gave the highest values with the 150 kg K2O/ha rate. This indicates that the soil is deficient in K and that K fertilizer is required at a rate of more than FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 15

22 100 kg K2O/ha. (Refer to Data of K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR ANOVA showed no differences in yield or any of the other characteristics. However, yield and the component characteristics, such as number of grains per panicle, did increase as the application rate increased. The control plot (0 S) produced the lowest yield (2.52 t/ha), and the yield increased as the S rate was increased up to 40 kg S/ha. The highest S rate of 40 kg/ha produced the highest yield of 3.17 t/ha. This indicates that the soil needs S and that applying S fertilizer could improve the rice yield. (Refer to Data of S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) The nutrient rate trials above were conducted on the farmer s soil that had shown deficiency symptoms of those elements in omission pot trials. However, none of the trials gave a significant yield response for any of the elements, and UDP and PU also showed no significant difference in yield when trials in other locations in other seasons consistently showed UDP to be significantly better than PU. There were some confounding factors in the trials. All trials were conducted on land that had recently undergone development. The leveling of the land was not good. The water level of the land was so bad that one side of the land had knee-deep water, while the other side had no water at all. There was also a poor water management system, especially with drainage. A lot of water was in the field at harvest time of N, K, and S trials. The farmer did not use the seed provided by IFDC. The purity of the farmer s seed was not good and could have had less than 70% germination. Because of crop impurity, the crop cut area had to be reduced by more than half. Another confounding factor was seedling age at transplantation. Transplantation could not be done at the right seedling age of days. All of these factors seriously reduced the crop yield and gave insignificant results to all trials. Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial As they are readily available in the market, compound fertilizers with various nutrient ratios are used by rice farmers in Myanmar; however, most farmers are not sure what the formula means or when to apply the fertilizer. Due to the high price, farmers do not apply enough fertilizer, since they do not know the crop s nutrient requirements. Farmers often apply one or two urea topdressings, also without knowing whether that is sufficient. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 16

23 This trial was conducted to compare different applications of compound fertilizer, urea, and TSP by applying additional N, P, and S to meet the blanket balanced application of TSP at 80 kg/ha, MOP at 40 kg/ha, gypsum at 25 kg/ha, and urea at kg/ha. Compound fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 15:15:15 (N:P2O5:K2O), the most popular among farmers, was used in this trial. Calculation of the compound rate was based on the amount required for the K2O content to be equivalent to 40 kg/ha of MOP. Additional nutrient rates for P (as TSP) in Treatment 3 and N (as urea) in Treatments 1 and 3 were calculated to balance the application to be equivalent to 80 kg/ha of TSP and kg/ha of urea. In this trial, balanced fertilization, with compound fertilizer and additional nutrient application of P, S, and N as PU, was compared with balanced application of straight fertilizers using UDP, compound + gypsum + PU, and compound + gypsum only. The results showed no significant difference in yield and some other characteristics. The straight fertilizers using UDP (Treatment 2) showed significantly higher values for the number of spikelets per panicle, wet biomass straw and grain weights, and dry biomass grain weight. There were 164 spikelets per panicle, 1,160 g of wet biomass straw weight, 460 g of wet biomass grain weight, and 435 g of dry biomass grain weight with balanced fertilization with straight fertilizers + UDP (Figure 2). The nonsignificant characteristics (number of panicles per hill, panicle length, and wet biomass grain weight) also had the highest values with the same treatment (Treatment 2). The yield was also the highest (4.08 t/ha) with Treatment 2, although it was also the same as that of fertilization with compound + gypsum + PU (Treatment 1). Treatment 4, application of compound fertilizer + gypsum only (no urea), gave the lowest values on most of the characteristics and the lowest yield (2.58 t/ha). (Refer to Data of Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial at U To, Taikkyi.) The highest values for significant characteristics occurred with balanced fertilization using straight fertilizers and UDP. Although not significant, considering the yield data: In Treatment 4, K and S were balanced, but the P and N were not balanced, producing the lowest yield (2.58 t/ha). This would indicate P and N are important in the mix. In Treatment 3, N, P, K, and S were balanced, with PU as the source of N. This had the second lowest yield (3.8 t/ha). In Treatment 2, N, P, K, and S were all balanced, with straight fertilizer and N applied as UDP. This had the highest yield (4.08 t/ha). Because it was identical to Treatment 3 except for N applied as UDP, the UDP is assumed to be responsible for the higher yield. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 17

24 In Treatment 1, N, K, and S were balanced but P was not. N was applied as PU. This also produced the highest yield (4.08 t/ha). When compared with Treatment 4, this would indicate the P balance is not as important as the S, which means S was the troublesome element in the farmer s field. The yield difference between balanced fertilization using compound or straight fertilizers could be due mainly to the response of PU and UDP, because balanced fertilization with straight fertilizers and UDP outyielded balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer and PU. According to the results, N is the most limiting element in the soil, since compound fertilizer and gypsum with no urea clearly produced the lowest yield. F1: Compound fertilizer + gypsum + PU; F2: Balanced fertilization with straight fertilizers (TSP, MOP, and gypsum) and UDP; F3: Balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer + TSP + gypsum + PU; and F4: Compound fertilizer + gypsum. Figure 2. Response of Significant Characteristics to Various Fertilization Methods UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial This trial was designed to study the response of deep placement of PU (both point and band placement) compared to UDP. PU was deep-placed using both point and band placement methods at the same rate and the same time as UDP. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 18

25 According to ANOVA, three characteristics (plant height and wet and dry biomass straw weights) showed highly significant differences at P(0.01), and four characteristics (number of panicles per hill, number of spikelets per panicle, and wet and dry biomass grain weights) showed significant differences among treatments at P(0.05). The other characteristics, including yield, were not significantly different among treatments. For the significant characteristics, the number of spikelets per panicle (162) was significantly higher than all other treatments using the PU point placement method. There were no statistical differences in the number of spikelets per panicle among the other treatments, including the control plot (0 N). The significant differences in other characteristics occurred between deep placement methods (UDP, PU point placement, and PU band placement) and 0 N and sometimes PU broadcast treatment only. There were no differences among deep placement methods, whether UDP, PU point placement, or PU band placement. The control plot (0 N) clearly showed the lowest values in all characteristics. UDP treatment gave the highest values in the number of panicles (17.2), wet biomass grain weight (749 g), and dry biomass straw weight (684 g). The other characteristics gave the highest values with PU point placement at times and with PU band placement other times. UDP produced only the third highest yield with 5.07 t/ha. PU band placement produced the highest yield with 5.17 t/ha, and PU point placement produced the second highest yield with 5.12 t/ha. The second lowest yield (5.00 t/ha) was produced by the PU surface broadcasting method, and the control plot clearly produced the lowest yield (4.18 t/ha). However, these were not statistically different. (Refer to Data of UDP and Prilled Urea Deep Placement Trial at Research Farm, Myaungmya.) The results showing no difference among urea deep placement methods in many characteristics and yield indicate deep placement of PU is as good as UDP. PU deep placement gave a similar or an even higher yield than UDP in this trial. However, manual PU deep placement is not practical. For wider application, the amount of urea at the point of placement may not be uniform, and some urea may not reach the correct depth. There were also some difficulties with the PU band deep placement method. The soil must have suitable moisture content at application time seven days after transplanting. The rice fields are normally drained at transplanting time and not irrigated until recovery stage. Therefore, the tillage is sometimes not soft enough for the PU band deep placement. It is also impossible to apply manually. Specific farm tools are needed for application. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 19

26 Fertilizer Management Trial on Rice-Gram System With UDP This is a long-term trial to study the carryover effect of N, P, and K on the subsequent crop. As it is a long-term trial, each treatment is performed on the same plot every season of every year. N was applied as UDP on the rice crop to measure any residual effect on the following gram crop. P and K were applied to the gram crop to measure any residual effect on the following rice crop. Trials were conducted with black gram. This is the second gram crop of the rice-gram cycle. The first cycle was tested with low P and K rates (40 kg/ha each) and gave insignificant results. The second cycle was tested with higher P and K rates (60 kg/ha each). Thar Kwin, Einme A significant difference was not observed in any characteristics, including yield. Although not significant, plant height, number of pods per plant, and 100 seed weight were the highest with application of 60 kg/ha of P2O5 and 60 kg/ha of K2O on the gram crop (T3). The other treatment, applying the same P and K rate on the gram crop (with return of the crop residue, T4), gave the second highest values in some characteristics. However, treatments often showed inconsistent results. Yield performance was different from other characteristics. The highest yield (0.58 t/ha) was produced by the 0 P and 0 K plot (T1), on which the full amount (60 kg/ha) of P and K had been applied previously on the rice crop. The previously applied P and K could have remained available to the gram crop. The 60 P and 60 K plot (T3) gave the second highest yield with 0.53 t/ha. However, these differences were not significant. (Refer to Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Thar Kwin, Einme.) Parami Daunt, Einme ANOVA showed a significant result on only the number of seeds per pod. There were no significant differences in other characteristics. The number of seeds per pod was the highest with application of 30 kg/ha each of P and K (Treatment 2). However, this was not statistically different from other plots where P and K were applied. It was only different from the control plot with 0 P and 0 K. Unlike Thar Kwin, the result could indicate that no P or K that had been applied on rice at the full amount (60 kg/ha) remained available to the gram crop. But again, the yields were not significantly different among treatments. The control plot also gave a yield similar to plots where P and K had been applied. The highest yield was observed in the treatment with application of 30 kg/ha each of P and K. (Refer to Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Paramidaunt, Einme.) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 20

27 The results for the gram crop were not consistent and difficult to interpret. Normal growth of the gram crop is often inconsistent in farmers fields. Germination, crop establishment, and growth mainly depend on residual soil moisture content at sowing time and water-holding capacity of the soil. In the above two locations, Parami Daunt had better germination and crop establishment than Thar Kwin. This can be seen in harvested plants in 100 ft 2 in the second to the last column in both data sheets. Fewer plants (around 150) could be harvested in Thar Kwin than in Parami Daunt, where a minimum of 270 plants and a maximum of 608 plants could be harvested. Both trials showed that application of P and K on the gram crops did not improve yields. This could be due to soil moisture content in the growing season. Applied P and K may not be available due to less moisture in the soil. Yield could be improved with supplementary irrigation during the growing season with P and K application. Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop This is another long-term trial on the rice-gram system, but different from the above trial in that starter N at 14 kg N/ha was applied on the gram crop. The trial was conducted with green gram. Both UDP and PU were applied as N fertilizer on the first crop (rice) as different treatments. (See Treatments for the Fertilizer Management Trial in the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop.) In this trial, ANOVA showed no difference among treatments in any parameters. The highest yield (1.59 t/ha) was observed with Treatment 4, in which the full amount of P and K (60 kg/ha each) were applied to the gram crop but no N, and Treatment 6, in which 14 kg/ha of N was applied as starter nitrogen to the gram crop but no P or K. Both treatments received PU application on the rice crop. It seems that applying either P and K or N to the gram crop will give the same yield. Unfortunately, there was no treatment that applied all of the elements to the gram crop. However, the results indicate that there was no carryover effect of N, P, and K on the gram crop. Both P and K seemed important to the gram crop, along with starter N. The plots in which UDP had been applied on rice gave less gram yield (1.04 t/ha to 1.28 t/ha) than PU-applied plots, regardless of how much P and K were applied. This indicates that there was no carryover effect of UDP on the gram crop. Among UDP-applied plots, plots with P and K application gave a little more gram yield than the plot without P and K application. Therefore, FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 21

28 P and K seem important to the gram crop. Starter N as UDP did not show a clear effect on the gram crop, since it gave the lowest yield (1.04 t/ha) of all treatments. It is difficult to interpret the data on application of starter N on the gram crop, since one treatment with starter N (Treatment 6) gave the highest gram yield (1.59 t/ha). This treatment included application of PU as well as P and K on the rice crop. The other treatment with starter N (Treatment 5) gave the lowest yield (1.04 t/ha). This treatment included application of UDP along with P and K on the rice crop. Both treatments applied no P or K on the gram crop. Therefore, the benefit of applying starter N on the gram crop was not clear. But it seems there was no carryover effect of either UDP or PU on the gram crop. P and K seem important to the gram crop. The availability of P and K should be considered, since residual moisture for the gram crop is sometimes limited. UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial This trial was conducted to evaluate the yield improvement by fertilization with balanced fertilizer and UDP in saline areas and the performance of a salinity-tolerant variety. A farmer s variety and a salinity-tolerant variety selected by DAR, Pyi Myanmar Sein, were tested with four fertilizer treatments. (See Treatments for UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions.) Two trials were conducted, although three tests at three locations were planned. Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyarpon The farmer s variety was a popular local variety for dry season rice, Thee Dat Yin. According to ANOVA using factorial design, both factors (variety and fertilizer) were significantly different. Variety was significant at P(0.05), and fertilizer was highly significant at P(0.01). Interaction of variety by fertilizer was not significant (Table 6). On average across fertilizer practices, Pyi Myanmar Sein produced 5.01 t/ha and Thee Dat Yin produced 3.42 t/ha. Pyi Myanmar Sein produced a significantly higher yield than Thee Dat Yin. Both varieties produced the highest yields with UDP treatment (F4). Pyi Myanmar Sein produced 5.78 t/ha, and Thee Dat Yin produced 4.65 t/ha. The second highest yield (5.17 t/ha) of Pyi Myanmar Sein was produced with application of recommended fertilizer (F2). This was slightly higher than the third highest yield (5.13 t/ha) with PU deep placement treatment (F3). However, the second highest yield (3.73 t/ha) of Thee Dat Yin was produced by PU deep placement (F3). It was higher than the yield (2.79 t/ha) given by the recommended fertilizer rate (F2) (Table 7). Both varieties produced the least yield with farmer s practice fertilizer (F1), in which only urea was applied by broadcasting at 75 kg/acre. Pyi Myanmar Sein produced FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 22

29 3.97 t/ha, and Thee Dat Yin produced 2.50 t/ha with the farmer s practice treatment. (Refer to Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon.) As an average yield of fertilizer practices across both varieties, UDP gave the highest yield (5.21 t/ha), which was not different from second highest yield with PU deep placement (4.43 t/ha). PU deep placement and recommended fertilizer (3.98 t/ha) were not statistically different, and neither were recommended fertilizer and farmer s practice (3.24 t/ha) (Table 7). The rate of recommended urea fertilizer at Pyapon at 100 kg/acre was higher than UDP and PU rates (66 kg/acre) and the farmer s practice rate (75 kg/acre) (Table 8). Higher yields with UDP and PU deep placement practice over farmer s practice and recommended fertilizer indicate a higher nutrient use efficiency with the deep placement practice. The higher yield with recommended fertilizer over farmer s practice fertilizer reflects the higher rate of urea (100 kg/acre vs. 75 kg/acre). The results show that Pyi Myanmar Sein performed better than Thee Dat Yin in a saline area, and UDP or PU deep placement combined with balanced fertilization could also improve rice yield. Table 6. Significant Test of Source of Variations in Saline Conditions Trials at Pyapon and Bogale Pyapon Bogale Source of F P F P Variation Value Value Significance Value Value Significance Variety (Var.) < ns Fertilizer (Fert.) < E-06 < 0.01 Var. x Fert ns ns Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale The farmer here used the Thai Bay Gyar variety. ANOVA showed no significant difference between varieties. Significant difference at P(0.01) was observed on fertilizer treatments. There was no significant interaction between variety and fertilizer practice (Table 6). The average yield of Pyi Myanmar Sein across fertilizer practices was 3.93 t/ha. This was a little higher than the Thai Bay Gyar yield of 3.66 t/ha (Table 7), but the result was not significant. Both varieties produced their highest yields with UDP, the second highest yield with PU deep placement, the third highest yield with farmer s practice, and the lowest yield with the recommended fertilizer rate. (Refer to Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale.) UDP produced the highest yield, with an average of 4.55 t/ha. The second highest yield with PU deep placement was 4.40 t/ha, which was not statistically different from the UDP treatment. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 23

30 Farmer s practice fertilizer produced 3.45 t/ha, which was significantly lower than UDP and PU deep placement and significantly higher than the lowest yield (2.78 t/ha) produced by the recommended fertilizer rate. In Bogale township, the recommended fertilizer rate required less urea (75 kg/acre) than farmer s practice urea (100 kg/acre), which is the reverse of Pyarpon, with the same TSP rate (50 kg/acre). However, the recommended fertilizer rate included application of MOP at 25 kg/acre and farmer s practice did not include application of MOP. According to these results, N is the most important element in Bogale. The results also indicate that UDP technology could be applied in a saline area and improve rice yield. The Pyi Myanmar Sein variety seemed like a better choice than the local variety. Table 7. Variety Local Variety Pyi Myanmar Sein Table 8. Average Treatment Yields (t/ha) in Saline Conditions Trials at Pyapon and Bogale Pyapon Bogale Fertilizer Treatment Average Yield Fertilizer Average Variety Average Average Yield Fertilizer Average Variety Average Farmer s Practice cb Recommended Fertilizer bc PU deep ab UDP ab Farmer s Practice Recommended Fertilizer PU deep UDP Farmer s Practice Fertilizer and Recommended Fertilizer Rates (kg/acre) in Saline Conditions Trials Pyapon Bogale Fertilizer Farmer s Practice Fertilizer Recommended Fertilizer Farmer s Practice Fertilizer Recommended Fertilizer Urea TSP MOP Conclusion UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial Significant treatment differences were found for plant height, number of panicles per hill, and biomass dry grain weight. There were no significant differences for yield and other characteristics. For plant height, the difference was only significant between the control (0 N) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 24

31 plot and the urea-applied treatments. There were no differences between the urea-applied plots (UDP and PU). Number of panicles per hill was the highest (23.1) with UDP application at 21 days after sowing. This was not different from UDP application at sowing time, which had 22.9 panicles per hill, but it was different from the urea broadcast treatment, which had Although not significant, the yield was the highest (3.28 t/ha) with UDP application at sowing time. The second highest yield (3.19 t/ha) was with UDP application 21 days after sowing, followed by the urea broadcast treatment (2.7 t/ha). The control plot had the lowest yield at 1.79 t/ha. (Refer to Data of Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat.) The results clearly indicate that UDP is more efficient than urea surface broadcast application. The higher yield of UDP at sowing time than that of UDP 21 days after sowing indicates the variety had more time to absorb the nutrient with the earlier application. The variety is an early maturing variety that is widely grown in the dry season. The results confirm that UDP could be applied at seeding time on direct seeded rice, especially for an early maturing variety. The early maturing variety may not take in all of the nutrient if it is applied more than 20 days after seeding. Seed and Fertilizer Management Trials This trial was conducted at three locations (Tar Wa, Bago; Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu; and Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan). Only one location, Taw Wa, demonstrated five significantly different parameters. The other two locations showed a significant difference in plant height only. The yield was not significant at any location. On average across seed classes, UDP gave a higher yield than farmer s practice at two locations (Tar Wa and Ohn Hnae Gone). UDP produced 4.48 t/ha at Tar Wa and 5.71 t/ha at Ohn Hnae Gone, while PU produced 4.27 t/ha and 5.51 t/ha. But at Ywar Thar Yar, PU produced a higher yield (6.11 t/ha) than UDP (5.91 t/ha). (Refer to Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Tar Wa, Bago; Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu; and Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan.) Registered seed produced a higher yield than farmer s seed at Tar Wa only. It did not give higher yields at Ohn Hnae Gone and Ywar Thar Yar. These results indicate that the farmer s seed is as good as registered seed and can give satisfactorily good yield. The quality of farmer s seed depends on whether the seed was stored properly and how many years it has been reused as seed. Currently, seed demand is growing and the entire demand cannot be provided to farmers. Farmers know the value of seed and want to use certified or even registered seed if it FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 25

32 is readily available in the seed market. Some ongoing seed projects in Myanmar are intended to strengthen the seed industry. Table 9. Average Yield (t/ha) of Treatments of Seed and Fertilizer Trials at Tar Wa, Ohn Hnae Gone, and Ywar Thar Yar Tar Wa Ohn Hnae Gone Ywar Thar Yar Treatment Yield (t/ha) Seed Avg. Fert Avg. Yield (t/ha) Seed Avg. Fert Avg. Yield (t/ha) Seed Avg. Fert Avg. Grain + PU Registered seed + PU Grain + UDP Registered seed + UDP Nutrient Rate Trial at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan The N, P, K, and S rate trials were conducted at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan, where those elements were identified as deficient by an omission pot trial. The N rate trial was conducted using UDP and PU surface broadcast. ANOVA showed both N rates and urea practices were not significant. UDP gave a little lower yield than broadcast PU. The control plot and the lowest N rate gave the highest yield. With UDP treatment, yield decreased as N rate increased. Yield seemed not related to N rate. (Refer to Data of N Rate Trial With UDP and PU at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) The results indicate that 50 kg N/ha is an appropriate dose for the soil, although the trial had some confounding factors, such as seed purity, poor nursery management, transplantation of old seedlings, and poor water management. For the P rate trial, there were no significant differences in any parameters except plant height. The highest P rate (200 kg P2O5/ha) gave the highest plant height (115 cm), which was not statistically different from the plant height given by the control plot (113 cm). The highest yield (2.78 t/ha) was produced by the control plot and was similar to the yield of two lowest P rates. (Refer to Data of P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) This trial plot had a water-deficit problem rather than waterlogging. Due to the lack of water, weeds were the main cause of low yield. However, the results indicate that kg/ha of P2O5 may be enough to obtain an acceptable high yield on this soil. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 26

33 For the K rate trial, ANOVA showed a significant difference in the number of grains per panicle only. The other parameters, including yield, were not different among treatments. The highest number of grains per panicle was found with 150 kg K2O/ha. The yield and other parameters, except biomass straw weight, were also the highest with 150 kg K2O/ha. The biomass straw weight was the highest with the highest K rate (200 kg K2O/ha). The K rate of 150 kg K2O/ha produced the highest yield of 3.95 t/ha, and the yield decreased when the K rate was increased from 150 kg/ha to 200 kg/ha of K2O. The lowest K rate (50 kg K2O/ha) produced the lowest yield of 3.03 t/ha, which was similar to the yield of the control plot (3.10 t/ha). (Refer to Data of K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) The results indicate that K is a more limiting factor than N and P on the Gway Dauk Kwin farmer s land. K also was noted to improve vegetative biomass. For the S rate trial, there were no significant differences for any parameters. However, the highest values of most characteristics, including yield, were often observed with the highest S rate (40 kg S/ha). Some parameters (number of panicles per hill and biomass grain weight) showed the highest values with the second highest S rate (30 kg S/ha). The yield was the lowest (2.52 t/ha) with the control plot and increased when the S rate was increased. The highest S rate (40 kg S/ha) produced the highest yield with 3.17 t/ha. The conclusion was made that the test soil was very deficient in S. (Refer to Data of S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan.) All rate trials were conducted on the same land. There were some confounding factors observed during the season. The first was a lack of leveling, which caused the P rate trial to be dry most of the time while other trials always had a lot of water in the field. Weeds were the main problem in the P rate trial, and bunds could not be made high enough in the N rate trial. The second factor could be seed quality and purity, since the farmer did not use the seed provided by IFDC. Finally, nursery management was very poor, and transplanting was done using 45-day old seedlings. All of these trials gave lower yields than normal. Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial ANOVA showed significant results in four characteristics. The number of spikelets per panicle and fresh biomass straw weight were significant at P(0.05), and biomass grain weight was significant at P(0.01). Other characteristics were not significant. Most parameters (number of panicles per hill, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, biomass straw and grain weights, and yield) showed their highest values with balanced fertilization using straight FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 27

34 fertilizer and UDP. But the highest yield (4.08 t/ha) with balanced fertilization using straight fertilizer and UDP was the same as that of farmer s practice of compound fertilizer with PU and gypsum. S appeared to be more limiting than P or K in the soil. Therefore, the farmer s practice of compound fertilizer and PU seemed adequate when applied with S (gypsum) on such soil. Balanced fertilization with compound fertilizer gave the second highest yield of 3.80 t/ha, which was less than that of balanced fertilization with straight fertilizer and UDP. (Refer to Data of Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial at U To, Taikkyi.) This difference was due to UDP versus PU, and UDP again was proven to be an efficient technology. The lowest yield with compound fertilizer and gypsum indicates that N was the most deficient element in the soil. This is the case not only in this area, but also in most farmers fields. UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial In this trial, three characteristics (plant height and wet and dry biomass straw weights) showed highly significant differences at P(0.01), and four characteristics (number of panicles per hill, number of spikelets per panicle, and wet and dry biomass grain weights) showed significant differences at P(0.05). The yield was not significantly different among treatments. Almost all significant characteristics, except the number of spikelets per panicle, showed that the significant difference occurred between deep placement of urea (both UDP and PU) and control and PU broadcast only (Table 10). The results clearly show that the control treatment gave the lowest values and the PU broadcast treatment gave the second lowest values in all significant characteristics. The yield response was also the same as other characteristics but not significant. The control plot produced the lowest yield with 4.18 t/ha, and the broadcast PU plot produced the second lowest yield with 5.00 t/ha. Deep placement of urea treatments, both prilled and UDP, produced similar yields, which were higher than broadcast PU and control. PU deep placement with the band method produced the highest yield (5.17 t/ha), followed by PU point deep placement (5.12 t/ha) and UDP at 5.07 t/ha. However, these were not statistically different. (Refer to Data of UDP and Prilled Urea Deep Placement Trial at Research Farm, Myaungmya.) The results indicate that UDP, whether PU or briquette urea, could improve the rice yield. However, PU deep placement seems impractical if applied manually. Manual application may cause an uneven amount and depth of application. Farm labor shortage is also a major constraint for application. A mechanized applicator is needed to solve the labor problem and to improve rice yield through UDP of PU or briquette urea. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 28

35 Table 10. Mean Comparison of Significant Characteristics from the UDP and PU Deep Placement Trial Plant Panicles Spikelets Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass Height per per Wt. Weight Treatment (cm) Hill Panicle Straw Grain Straw Grain Control 81b 11.4b 131b 1,041c 511ca 419bb 439b UDP 85a 17.2a 137b 1,857a 749ab 684ab 611a PU point 86a 15.4a 162a 1,929a 694aa 670ab 583a PU band 88a 14.8a 139b 1,894a 747ab 682ab 625a PU broadcast 82b 12.4b 139b 1,460b 669bb 528ab 569a LSD (0.05) Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With UDP This is the second gram crop of the second cropping cycle with higher P and K rates than the first cropping cycle. The trial was conducted with black gram at two locations in Einme township. Test locations showed no significant differences in almost all parameters except the number of seeds per pod at Parami Daunt, Einme. The Thar Kwin trial showed no significant differences in any traits. The results show that a higher amount of P and K applied on the gram crop did not produce a higher yield. All treatments gave similar yields at both locations. No P or K application gave the highest yield (0.58 t/ha) at Thar Kwin, and application of half the amount of P and K gave the highest yield (1.13 t/ha) at Parami Daunt. (Refer to Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Thar Kwin, Einme and Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Paramidaunt, Einme.) These plots had P and K applied at full (60 kg/ha each) or half amounts on the rice crop prior to this gram crop. Residual P and K possibly could have remained and been readily available to the gram crop. According to the results, the P and K applied on the gram crop seemed to elicit no response from the crop, since those treatments did not produce higher yields than no or lower application treatments. The high yield of no or half P and K treatments implied a carryover effect of the P and K that were applied on the rice crop at full or half amounts. This seemed more readily available to the gram crop than that which was applied on the gram crop. The result indicates the need to observe the carryover effect of P and K applied on the gram crop on the next season s rice crop. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 29

36 Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System With Starter N on the Gram Crop The results of all traits were statistically not different. Plant height ranged from 25 cm to 29 cm, number of pods per plant ranged from 13.1 to 19.5, number of seeds per pod ranged from 6.4 to 6.5, 100 seed weight ranged from 4.8 g to 5.3 g, and yield ranged from 1.04 t/ha to 1.59 t/ha. The yield response of P and K and starter N on the gram crop were not consistent. When looking at the treatments on which PU was applied on the rice crop, application of P and K on the gram crop (Treatment 4) showed good response, and starter N on the gram crop and/or residual P and K from rice application (Treatment 6) also gave good yield. A residual effect of PU on the gram crop was not observed. Application of P and K and starter N could improve gram yield. When looking at the treatments in which UDP was applied on the rice crop, starter N and residual P and K from rice application (Treatment 5) seemed to have no effect on the gram crop, since Treatment 5 gave the lowest yield. However, Treatments 1 and 2, which yielded 1.26 t/ha and 1.28 t/ha, showed a residual effect of P and K and application of P and K on the gram crop seemed effective on the gram crop. Application of UDP on rice had no carryover effect on gram. (Refer to Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with Starter N at Anauk Ywa, Thonegwa.) Growing a gram crop in Myanmar remains traditional. Farmers practice minimum cost production, with minimum tillage or sometimes no tillage. Very little to no fertilizer is applied. Farmers often spray insecticides and foliar fertilizer, especially when insect damage is observed and the market offers a high price for gram. The gram yield mainly depends on residual moisture at sowing time. Time of sowing, which depends on seasonal rain, largely affects gram yield. Nutrient uptake likely depends on soil moisture, regardless of the amount applied. In this study, P and K, and in some cases starter N, seem important to improve gram yield along with incorporation of supplementary irrigation to make nutrients available to the plant. UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trials In this trial, balanced fertilization with UDP was evaluated in saline areas. Performance of the salinity-tolerant variety, Pyi Myanmar Sein, was also studied against popular local improved varieties. Two varieties were tested with four fertilizer treatments. (See Treatments for UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions.) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 30

37 Significant variety difference was observed only at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon. There was no significant difference between varieties at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale. However, the salinity-tolerant variety, Pyi Myanmar Sein, produced a higher yield than the local variety at both locations. Pyi Myanmar Sein had a 5.01 t/ha yield, and the local improved variety, Thee Dat Yin, had 3.42 t/ha at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon. These yields were statistically different. Pyi Myanmar Sein had a 3.93 t/ha yield and Thai Bay Gyar had a 3.66 t/ha yield at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale; these were not statistically different. (Refer to Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon, and Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale.) The salinity-tolerant variety selected by DAR, Pyi Myanmar Sein, seemed adaptable to saline conditions, and Thee Dat Yin did not perform well. Thai Bay Gyar is a recently introduced variety and also seems adaptable to saline conditions, which is why farmers select it for dry season rice in this area. Both locations showed significant differences among fertilizer treatments. UDP gave the highest yields at both locations. On average across varieties, UDP produced 5.21 t/ha at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon, and 4.55 t/ha at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale. These were not significantly different from the yields given by the PU deep placement treatment at both locations but were different from the recommended fertilizer rate and farmer s practice fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that UDP and PU deep placement work well in saline areas. There was no interaction effect of variety with fertilizer practice at both locations. However, growing a salinity-tolerant variety, combined with balanced fertilization and UDP or even PU deep placement, could improve production in saline areas. FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 31

38 No. Table 11. Locations, Varieties, and Activity Dates of All Trials Region/ Township Village Variety Yangon Date of: Sowing Layout Transplant UDP Topdress 1 Topdress 2 Harvest 1 Kyauktan Ah Shae Pine Shwe War 29-Nov - - Abandoned Abandoned 2 Thonegwa Anauk Ywa Shwe War 5-Dec Mar 3 Kungyangone Taw Khayan PMSS 6-Jan Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop 4 Taikkyi U To Thee Dat Yin 13-Jan 13-Feb 13-Feb 20-Feb 8-Mar 7-Apr 11-May 5 Hlegu Ohn Hnae Gone Thee Dat Yin 10-Jan 31-Jan 1-Feb 8-Feb 7-Mar 30-Mar 2-May Bago 6 Bago Tar Wa Thee Dat Yin 19-Jan 15-Feb 16-Feb 23-Feb 14-Mar 6-Apr 12-May 7 Gway Dauk Kwin Yadanar Toe 3-Feb 22-Mar 22-Mar 29-Mar 7-Apr 4-May 13-Jun 8 Gway Dauk Kwin Yadanar Toe 3-Feb 20-Mar 21-Mar 29-Mar Jun 9 Letpadan Gway Dauk Kwin Yadanar Toe 3-Feb 19-Mar 20-Mar 28-Mar Jun 10 Gway Dauk Kwin Yadanar Toe 3-Feb 20-Mar 21-Mar 28-Mar Jun 11 Ywar Thar Yar Yadanar Toe 11-Jan 6-Feb 7-Feb 14-Feb 8-Mar 7-Apr 19-May Ayeyarwady 12 Einme Thar Kwin Yezin 3 7-Dec Mar 13 Parami Daunt Yezin 3 28-Nov Mar 14 Myaungmya Research farm Thee Dat Yin 24-Dec 16-Jan 17-Jan 24-Jan 11-Feb 9-Mar 11-Apr 15 The Pyay Chaung Thee Dat Yin 17-Jan 16-Jan - 10-Feb 9-Mar 3-Apr Lost 16 Bogale Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar PMSS 25-Dec 18-Jan 19-Jan 26-Jan 24-Feb 21-Mar 21-Apr 17 Kyaiklat Hle Sate Thee Dat Yin 23-Dec 22-Dec - 13-Jan 17-Feb 20-Mar 11-Apr 18 Pyapon Auk Kwin Gyi PMSS 16-Jan 9-Feb 10-Feb 17-Feb 20-Mar 10-Apr 15-May FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 32

39 Appendix 1. Data Sheets Data of Timing of UDP on Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat Exp. Design 4 x 3 RCB Location Hle Sate, Kyaik Lat Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Htay Win Variety Thee Dat Yin Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 23-Dec UDP date after 13-Jan Harvested area 100 sq. ft. UDP date at sowing 23-Dec Harvest date 11-Apr Harvested hills 225 Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield Rep ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 1 Control 9-Mar UDP at sowing 9-Mar UDP after sow 9-Mar PU broadcast 9-Mar Control 9-Mar UDP at sowing 9-Mar UDP after sow 9-Mar PU broadcast 9-Mar Control 9-Mar UDP at sowing 9-Mar UDP after sow 9-Mar PU broadcast 9-Mar Average values 1 Control UDP at sowing UDP after sow PU broadcast F test * ** ns ns ns ns ns ns ns * ns ns CV (%) LSD (0.05) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 33

40 Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Tar Wa, Bago Exp. Design 4 x 1 Simple Location Tar Wa, Bago Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Zin Mg Mg Oo Variety Thee Dat Yin Plot size 1280 sq ft. (32 x 40) Sowing Date 19-Jan UDP date 23-Feb Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 16-Feb Harvest date 12-May Harvested hills 225 Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield Rep ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 1 Grain + PU 9-Apr RSeed + PU 9-Apr Grain + UDP 9-Apr RSeed + UDP 9-Apr Grain + PU 9-Apr RSeed + PU 9-Apr Grain + UDP 9-Apr RSeed + UDP 9-Apr Grain + PU 9-Apr RSeed + PU 9-Apr Grain + UDP 9-Apr RSeed + UDP 9-Apr Average values 1 Grain + PU RSeed + PU Grain + UDP RSeed + UDP F test ns ns * * ns ** * ns * ns ns CV (%) LSD (0.05) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 34

41 Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu Exp. Design 4 x 1 Simple Location Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Taing Kyaw Variety Thee Dat Yin Plot size 1280 sq ft. (32 x 40) Sowing Date 10-Jan UDP date 8-Feb Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 1-Feb Harvest date 2-May Harvested hills 225 Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield Rep ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 1 Grain + PU 31-Mar RSeed + PU 31-Mar Grain + UDP 31-Mar RSeed + UDP 31-Mar Grain + PU 31-Mar RSeed + PU 31-Mar Grain + UDP 31-Mar RSeed + UDP 31-Mar Grain + PU 31-Mar RSeed + PU 31-Mar Grain + UDP 31-Mar RSeed + UDP 31-Mar Average values 1 Grain + PU RSeed + PU Grain + UDP RSeed + UDP F test * ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns CV (%) 2.09 LSD (0.05) 3.35 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 35

42 Data of Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan Exp. Design 4 x 1 Simple Location Ywar Thar Yar, Letpadan Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer Daw Ni Ni Aye Variety Yadanar Toe Plot size 1280 sq ft. (32 x 40) Sowing Date 11-Jan UDP date 14-Feb Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 7-Feb Harvest date 19-May Harvested hills 225 Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield Rep ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 1 Grain + PU 16-Apr RSeed + PU 16-Apr Grain + UDP 16-Apr RSeed + UDP 16-Apr Grain + PU 16-Apr RSeed + PU 16-Apr Grain + UDP 16-Apr RSeed + UDP 16-Apr Grain + PU 16-Apr RSeed + PU 16-Apr Grain + UDP 16-Apr RSeed + UDP 16-Apr Average values 1 Grain + PU RSeed + PU Grain + UDP RSeed + UDP F test * ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns CV (%) 1.96 LSD (0.05) 4.80 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 36

43 Data of N Rate Trial With UDP and PU at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Exp. Design 2 x 5 x 3 Strip plot design Location Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Tin Win Variety Yadanar Toe Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 3-Feb UDP date 29-Mar Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 22-Mar Harvest date 13-Jun Harvested hills 225 With UDP Biomass from 5 hills Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 0 N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UP 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UP 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UDP 9-May N UP 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May N PU 9-May Average values 1 0 N UDP N UDP N UDP N UDP N UDP N UP N PU N PU N PU N PU FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 37

44 Data of P Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Exp. Design 5 x 3 RCB Location Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Tin Win Variety Yadanar Toe Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 3-Feb UDP date 29-Mar Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 21-Mar Harvest date 12-Jun Harvested hills 225 Biomass from 5 hills Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 0 P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May P 2 O 5 9-May Average values 1 0 P 2 O P 2 O P 2 O P 2 O P 2 O F test * ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns CV (%) 1.84 LSD (0.05) 3.84 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 38

45 Data of K Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Exp. Design 5 x 3 RCB Location Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Tin Win Variety Yadanar Toe Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 3-Feb UDP date 28-Mar Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 20-Mar Harvest date 11-Jun Harvested hills 225 With UDP Biomass from 5 hills Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 0 K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May K 2 O 9-May Average values 1 0 K 2 O K 2 O K 2 O K 2 O K 2 O F test ns ns ns ns ** ns ns ns ns ns ns CV (%) 5.50 LSD (0.05) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 39

46 Data of S Rate Trial Using UDP on TPR at Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Exp. Design 5 x 3 RCB Location Gway Dauk Kwin, Letpadan Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Tin Win Variety Yadanar Toe Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 3-Feb UDP date 28-Mar Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 21-Mar Harvest date 11-Jun Harvested hills 225 With UDP Biomass from 5 hills Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 0 S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May S 9-May Average values 1 0 S S S S S F test ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 40

47 Data of Balanced Fertilization With Compound Fertilizer Trial at U To, Taikkyi Exp. Design 4 x 3 RCB Location U To, Taik Kyi Year/season 2017 Dry Season F1 = Compd + Gyp + PU Farmer U Kyaw Win F2 = Balanced with TSP, MOP, Gyp + UDP Variety Thee Dat Yin F3 = Balanced with Compound Plot size 256 sq ft. F4 = Compd + Gypsum only Sowing Date 13-Jan UDP date 20-Feb Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 13-Feb Harvest date 11-May Harvested hills 225 Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 F1 3-Apr F2 3-Apr F3 3-Apr F4 3-Apr F1 3-Apr F2 3-Apr F3 3-Apr F4 3-Apr F1 3-Apr F2 3-Apr F3 3-Apr F4 3-Apr Average values 1 F F F F F test ns ns ns * ns * ** ns ** ns ns CV (%) LSD (0.05) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 41

48 Data of UDP and Prilled Urea Deep Placement Trial at Research Farm, Myaungmya Exp. Design 5 x 3 RCB Location Research Farm, Myaumgmya Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Htain Lin Tun Variety Thee Dat Yin Plot size 256 sq ft. Sowing Date 24-Dec UDP date 24-Jan Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 17-Jan Harvest date 11-Apr Harvested hills 225 With UDP Treat Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha 1 Zero N 9-Mar UDP 9-Mar PU point 9-Mar PU band 9-Mar PU b'cast 9-Mar Zero N 9-Mar UDP 9-Mar PU point 9-Mar PU band 9-Mar PU b'cast 9-Mar Zero N 9-Mar UDP 9-Mar PU point 9-Mar PU band 9-Mar PU b'cast 9-Mar Average values 1 Zero N UDP PU point PU band PU b'cast F test ** * ns * ns ** * ** * ns ns CV (%) LSD (0.05) FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 42

49 Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Thar Kwin, Einme Exp. Design 4 x 3 RCB Location Thar Kwin, Einme Year/season 2017, Dry Season Farmer U Aung Htay Win Variety Yezin 3 T1 0 kg P2O5 + 0 kg K2O Plot size 256 ft2 T2 30 kg P2O kg K2O Sowing Date 7-Dec T3 60 kg P2O kg K2O + no residue Harvest date 22-Mar T4 60 kg P2O kg K2O + Crop Residue Black Gram Crop Treat Date Days Plant No of No of 100 No of Yield ment Treatment of to height Pods per Seeds seed Harvest mt per No Flowering Maturity (cm) plant per pod wt. (g) Plants hectare 1 P 0 + K 0 21-Jan P30 + K30 21-Jan P60 + K60 21-Jan P60 + K Jan P 0 + K 0 21-Jan P30 + K30 21-Jan P60 + K60 21-Jan P60 + K Jan P 0 + K 0 21-Jan P30 + K30 21-Jan P60 + K60 21-Jan P60 + K Jan AVERAGE 1 P 0 + K P30 + K P60 + K P60 + K F test ns ns ns ns ns FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 43

50 Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with UDP at Paramidaunt, Einme Exp. Design 4 x 3 RCB Location Parami Daunt, Einme Year/season 2017, Dry Season Farmer U Thet Naing Soe Variety Yezin 3 T1 0 kg P2O5 + 0 kg K2O Plot size 256 ft2 T2 30 kg P2O kg K2O Sowing Date 28-Nov T3 60 kg P2O kg K2O + no residue Harvest date 10-Mar T4 60 kg P2O kg K2O + Crop Residue Black Gram Crop Treat Date Days Plant No of No of 100 No of Yield ment Treatment of to height Pods per Seeds seed Harvest mt per No Flowering Maturity (cm) plant per pod wt. (g) Plants hectare 1 P 0 + K 0 11-Jan P30 + K30 11-Jan P60 + K60 11-Jan P60 + K Jan P 0 + K 0 11-Jan P30 + K30 11-Jan P60 + K60 11-Jan P60 + K Jan P 0 + K 0 11-Jan P30 + K30 11-Jan P60 + K60 11-Jan P60 + K Jan P 0 + K P30 + K P60 + K P60 + K F test ns ns * ns ns CV 2.41 LSD 0.33 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 44

51 Data of Fertilizer Management Trial on the Rice-Gram System with Starter N at Anauk Ywa, Thonegwa Exp. Design 6 x 3 RCB Location Anauk Ywa, Thongwa Year/season 2017, Dry Season Farmer U Zaw Wate T1 0N 0P2O5 0K2O Variety Shwe War T2 0N 60P2O5 60K2O Plot size 256 ft2 T3 0N 0P2O5 0K2O Sowing Date 5-Dec T4 0N 60P2O5 60K2O Harvest date 16-Mar T5 14 N 0P 0K Green gram crop T6 14 N 0P 0K Treat Date Days Plant No of No of 100 No of Yield ment Treatment of to height Pods per Seeds seed Harvest mt per No Flowering Maturity (cm) plant per pod wt. (g) Plants hectare 1 0N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 60P 60K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K 19-Jan N 0P 0K N 60P 60K N 0P 0K N 60P 60K N 0P 0K N 0P 0K F test ns ns ns ns ns FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 45

52 Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon Exp. Design 2 x 4 x 3 Factorial Location Auk Kwin Gyi, Pyapon Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Than Win Variety V1= Local, V2=Pyi Myanmar Sein (Salinity tolerant variety) Plot size 24 m2 Sowing Date 16-Jan 11-Apr UDP date 17-Feb Harvested area 100 sq. ft. (adjusted to) Transplant Date 10-Feb Harvest date 15-May Harvested hills 225 (adjusted to) biomass from 5 plants Treat Fertilizer Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha V1 FP 11-Apr V1 Recom Rate 11-Apr V1 PU deep 11-Apr V1 UDP 11-Apr V2 FP 11-Apr V2 Recom Rate 11-Apr V2 PU deep 11-Apr V2 UDP 11-Apr V1 FP 11-Apr V1 Recom Rate 11-Apr V1 PU deep 11-Apr V1 UDP 11-Apr V2 FP 11-Apr V2 Recom Rate 11-Apr V2 PU deep 11-Apr V2 UDP 11-Apr V1 FP 11-Apr V1 Recom Rate 11-Apr V1 PU deep 11-Apr V1 UDP 11-Apr V2 FP 11-Apr V2 Recom Rate 11-Apr V2 PU deep 11-Apr V2 UDP 11-Apr Average values V1 FP V1 Recom Rate V1 PU deep V1 UDP V2 FP V2 Recom Rate V2 PU deep V2 UDP FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 46

53 Data of UDP Evaluation Under Saline Conditions Trial at Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale Exp. Design 2 x 4 x 3 Factorial Location Pain Hnae Chaung Phyar, Bogale Year/season 2017 Dry Season Farmer U Hla Htwe Variety V1= Local, V2=Pyi Myanmar Sein (Salinity tolerant variety) Plot size 24 m2 Sowing Date 25-Dec UDP date 26-Jan Harvested area 100 sq. ft. Transplant Date 19-Jan Harvest date 21-Apr Harvested hills 225 biomass from 25 plants Treat Fertilizer Date Days Plant No of Panicle No of No of Spikelet Fresh Biomass Dry Biomass 1000 Yield/225 hills Yield ment Treatment of to height panicles Length spikelets grains per Fertility Straw Grain Straw Grain grain Wet Calculat MC No Flowering Maturity (cm) per hill (cm) /panicle panicle % wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) wt. (g) (g) (g) (%) t/ha V1 FP 20-Mar V1 Recom Rate 20-Mar V1 PU deep 20-Mar V1 UDP 20-Mar V2 FP 20-Mar V2 Recom Rate 20-Mar V2 PU deep 20-Mar V2 UDP 20-Mar V1 FP 20-Mar V1 Recom Rate 20-Mar V1 PU deep 20-Mar V1 UDP 20-Mar V2 FP 20-Mar V2 Recom Rate 20-Mar V2 PU deep 20-Mar V2 UDP 20-Mar V1 FP 20-Mar V1 Recom Rate 20-Mar V1 PU deep 20-Mar V1 UDP 20-Mar V2 FP 20-Mar V2 Recom Rate 20-Mar V2 PU deep 20-Mar V2 UDP 20-Mar Average values V1 FP V1 Recom Rate V1 PU deep V1 UDP V2 FP V2 Recom Rate V2 PU deep V2 UDP FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 47

54 Photos Photo 1. Land Leveling Just Before Layout of UDP on Direct Seeded Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat, Ayeyarwady, on December 22, 2016 Photo 2. Seeding and UDP Application on UDP During the Direct Seeded Rice Trial at Hle Sate, Kyaiklat, Ayeyarwady, on December 23, 2016 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 48

55 Photo 3. Layout, Bunds, and Basal Fertilizer Application of the Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu, Yangon, on January 31, 2017 Photo 4. Transplanting During the Seed and Fertilizer Trial at Ohn Hnae Gone, Hlegu, Yangon, on February 1, 2017 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 49

56 Photo 5. Marking the Crop Cut Area for Harvesting the Rice-Gram System Trial at Parami Daunt, Einme, Ayeyarwady, on March 10, 2017 Photo 6. Harvesting the Rice-Gram System Trial at Parami Daunt, Einme, Ayeyarwady, on March 10, 2017 FSI+ Report of Dry Season Trials 50