Mr.
Preuk Yibmantasiri is the leader of the research project "Farmers
participation in the development of sustainable agricultural system
(period 1) : using green manure to increase the efficiency of rice
production. He and his researchers had researched various kinds
of plants for making green manure in the field and found that Sesbania
rostrata could be brought to make green manure. It does not destroy
the environment but increases rice production.
Sesbania rostrata
has been used as green manure in a field in the experiment for six
years and it was found that rice production increased 20% or 700
kg./rai.
For the experiment
in agricultural area in the year 1999, it was found that farmers
knew how to improve soil before growing rice. Study on the efficiency
of using Sesbania rostrata as green manure was conducted and the
results were varied. Its dry weight of biomass was still less than
500 kg./rai.
How
to plant Sesbania rostrata
Soil
preparation and plantation. To plow soil surface in the plot before
scattering seeds. There is no need for the incorporation of the
loam. Scatter seeds 3.4 kg./rai. (fresh weight of biomass 3-4 ton/rai
and dry weight of biomass more than 500 kg./rai). Rice production
will be increased more than 20%.
Before scattering seeds,
soak them in concentrated sulfuric acid about 5 minutes. Then, clean
them with water or blanch them with 80 C° hot water about 5
minutes in order to activate seed germination. In the middle of
May is the suitable period for scattering seeds. Sesbania |