A comparative study on the effectiveness of nature farming and conventional farming technologies on the growth and yield of Dapit-saka rice selection

Abstract

The agronomic characteristics and yield of Dapit Saka rice selection grown using the conventional farming and nature farming methods were compared and the effect of the different nature farming concoctions against rice pests and natural enemies were evaluated from November 2002 to February 2003 in Bongco, Pototan, Iloilo. Results revealed that rice whorl maggots (<em>Hydrellia philippina</em>), white leafhoppers (<em>Cofana spectra</em>), green leafhoppers (<em>Nephotettix virescens</em>), brown planthopper (<em>Nilaparvata lugens</em>), rice stemborers (<em>Scirpophaga innotata</em>) and grasshoppers (<em>Oxya hyla intricata</em>) were found feeding on rice. Natural enemies observed included a mirid bug (<em>Cyrtorhinus lividipennis</em>), lady beetle (<em>Micraspis crocea</em>), damselfly (<em>Agriocnemis spp.</em>), ground beetle (<em>Ophionea nigrofasciata</em>), vespid wasp and spiders (Lynx spiders, <em>Oxyopes</em> spp.; dwarf spider, <em>Atypena formosana</em>; Orb spider, <em>Argiope catenulata</em>; and long-jawed spider, <em>Tetragnatha maxillosa</em>). It was noted that the use of nature farming technology and the absence of pesticides in the control resulted in more natural enemies. However, plants grown in conventional farming were significantly taller, had the most number of tillers, and heaviest panicles. These resulted in the highest grain yield of 3,466 kg/ha, a net income of P19,643.00 and an ROI of 130.80 % . These values exceeded those of plants in the nature farming technology by 1,641 kg/ha, P 5,612.65 and 25.80%, respectively.