WERE FARMERS WRONG IN REJECTING A RECOMMENDATION - THE CASE OF NITROGEN AT TRANSPLANTING FOR IRRIGATED RICE

Since 1982, the Philippines government has recommended that rice farme rs apply half to two-thirds their nitrogen fertilizer 'basally' to dra ined fields before final harrowing and transplanting, and the rest at panicle initiation. Few farmers apply N basally, however. More than 20 0 farmers in three irrigated areas were interviewed to determine their rice crop management for wet seasons 1990 and 1991. Farmers continual ly adjust practices to fit their field conditions; and overall, these practices agree with research suggesting that yields do not increase w ith basal-N applications, and that N is optimally applied at mid-tille ring and panicle initiation. Research leading to the basal-N recommend ation is summarized, more recent research is introduced, and the need to understand farmers' practices inconsistent with recommendations is discussed.