On-farm evaluation of a low-input rice production system in Panama

Abstract

On-farm trials were conducted to evaluate the potential of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a low-input crop management system, to increase rice yields and reduce water consumption on subsistence farms in several regions of Panama and to determine how inherent soil fertility might affect SRI yields and the yield response to SRI management in the first season of SRI management. SRI practices increased yield by 47% on average and showed potential to increase yield by over 90%, while reducing water consumption by as much as 86%. SRI yields were correlated with available soil K and the difference between SRI and the conventional system yields was positively correlated with extractable Ca, Mg and Mn. The results of this study indicate that SRI is a promising rice production system for smallholder farmers in rural Panama farming under Panamanian soil conditions.