Embi Bin Yusof and K.T. Joseph

Abstract

The above study clearly demonstrates that liming has no effect in increasing grain yield of padi. It is known that low soil pH and sulphurous conditions exist in the sub-soil profile of this particular soil (see Table 1). However it appears that they do not affect padi performance. Deep water conditions (SUGIMOTO. 1969) and water stress at different stages of padi growth (WICKAM, 1973) have been shown to adversely affect yields. These conditions are known to occur in these areas. Past trials (1974) showed that response to high levels of nitrogen are insignificant (see Appendix A). The current low yield as reported by farmers are due to deep water conditions and other management factors especially lack of proper fertilizer inputs and unremedied natural hazards prevailing (weeds. rats and insects). It is envisaged that attempts to improve yield has to be made in an integrated approach whereby improving current farming practices and techniques be given priority concurrent with improving the water management difficulties in the area followed by integrated research on all fields of rice cultivation pertaining to improving crop performance, with special emphasis on breeding varieties able to withstand deep water conditions. One important aspect of the work touches on the system of soil classification and consequent mapping and poses the important question of how significant are pedological features below the rooting zone of a crop if these features bear no relation to plant performance. The results also show that liming is unnecessary and a liming subsidy for KADA should be terminated.

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