Crop Establishment

Direct
Seeding

Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

Direct Seeding
Broadcast seeding
 widely used, easy and fast
 manual or mechanical
weeding difficult to use

Row Seeding
 not common as common
as broadcasting
 better control of seed rate
 manual or mechanical
weeding could be used
Direct Seeding
Broadcast seeding
 Direct wet seeding
 Direct dry seeding
 Modified dry direct seeding

Row Seeding
 Drum seeding
Broadcast seeding
Direct wet seeded rice
 Select a variety that is suitable for direct wet seeding.
 Prepare the field
thoroughly for the crop
to have an initial head
start over weeds.
Weeds are more
competitive in direct
seeding since they
grow simultaneously
with the crop.
Broadcast seeding
Direct wet seeded rice
 After soaking for 24 hours and
incubating for 24-36 hours, air
dry the seeds before seeding for
easier broadcasting. Use a rate
of 40-80 kg/ha.
 At the time of broadcasting,
saturate the field but do not allow
any standing water.

 Flash irrigate the field 3 days after

broadcasting to re-saturate the
soil.
Broadcast seeding
Direct wet seeded rice
 Herbicides may be applied 5-6 days after broadcasting
the seeds for more effective weed control. Apply pre-
emergence herbicide based on manufacturers for more
effective weed control.

 When necessary,
hand-weed 20-25 DAS
to eliminate weeds that
survived herbicide
treatment or use post-
emergence herbicides.
Broadcast seeding
Direct dry seeded rice
 Prepare the field thoroughly.
 Repair dikes during land
preparation to impound
water in the paddies.

 Sow the seeds immediately

after the final land
preparation by drum seeding
or broadcasting. Use 60-80
kg/ha. Cover the seeds by
harrowing.
Broadcast seeding
Direct dry seeded rice
 Apply herbicide immediately after a rainfall following
seeding. Repeat application of the following rainfall to
ensure success if the field is weedy.

 Apply 1/2 of the

recommended
fertilizer rate 15-
20 DAS and the
remaining 1/2 at
40-45 DAS.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding

 Prepare the land

just after
harvesting the dry
season crop. Plow
and harrow.

 Let the weeds

grow. Plow and
harrow again.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding

 Apply 10 bags
organic fertilizer,
28 kg NPK during
the final land
preparation.

 Construct furrows
with a distance of
20 cm.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding
 Prepare 60-80 kg of seeds of an early- maturing and
drought-resistant variety such as PSB Rc12 and Rc14.

 Soak the seeds for 8-12 hrs and incubate for 8-12 hrs
also.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding
 Sow the seeds
when a whitish
growth appears at
the base of the
seeds.

 Sow the pre-

germinated seeds
when the soil
moisture is about
20 cm deep.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding
 Pass a
wooden plank
diagonally
across the
field to cover
the seeds and
for seeds
falling on top
of the ridge to
fall along the
furrows.
Broadcast seeding
Modified Direct Dry Seeding

 Spray herbicide
1-2 days after
sowing. Be sure
that the soil is
moist.

 Practice the same cultural practices for transplanted rice

after the seeds germinate.
Direct Seeding
Broadcast seeding
 Direct wet seeding
 Direct dry seeding
 Modified dry direct seeding

Row Seeding
 Drum seeding
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
1. Puddle and level the field
thoroughly.
2. Pre-germinate the seeds but
do not let the roots and shoots
become too long.
3. Air-dry the pre-germinated
seeds in the shade for about
10-15 minutes before seeding
to facilitate separation of the
seeds. Wet seeds tend to stick
and this affects the metering
accuracy of the machine.
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
4. Before seeding, drain excess
water but do not let the soil
surface become dry. Construct
small canals along the side of the
paddy to facilitate draining of
water.
5. Place the seeds into the drum
cylinders up to the level in which
the shafting is just slightly
covered. At this level, the seeds
can still roll inside the cylinder
when the drum rotates.
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
6. Adjust the
seeder to the
desired seeding
rate (40 or 80
kg/ha). This can
be adjusted by
covering one
line of rows in
the drum
cylinders with a
rubber band
provided on the
cylinder.
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
7. For manually drawn
seeder, position the
seeder in a corner
with straight levees
and along the
longest side of the
paddy. For hand
tractor drawn
seeder, leave space
at the sides enough
for one pass (this will
be seeded last at the
end of every paddy).
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
8. Sow the seeds with drum seeder by walking at steady
speed.
9. Reposition the seeder for the return pass by setting the
first rows annexed to the row of the first pass (usually at
20 cm space) and continue the headlands of the field.

10. Seed filling can be done

during the break of the
operation at the
headlands.
 Row seeding
Drum seeding
11. Do not irrigate the field after seeding.
Flash irrigation can be done when the
field is about to crack.
12. Follow the recommended procedure
for pre and post emergence
herbicides for direct seeding or use
rotary weeder if desired at 20-25
DAS.
13. Apply fertilizer at 10 DAS with
minimal floodwater or before using
the weeder to incorporate the fertilizer
and ensure maximum efficiency.
Crop Establishment

Direct
Seeding
CREDITS
Instructional presentation designer:
Ms. Ev Parac

Sources of technical content/reviewers of presentation:

Ms. Glenn Ilar

Note:
Adapted from powerpoint presentations developed by:
Mr. Salvador Yabes

You may use, remix, tweak, For more information, visit:

& build upon this presentation
non-commercially. However, always
use with acknowledgment.

Unless otherwise stated, the names

listed are PhilRice staffers.

Produced in 2011
Text: 0920-911-1398