Potash & Phosphate Institute Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada
East & Southeast Asia Programs
Program Update - 2001
The East & Southeast Asia Programs of the Potash and Phosphate Institute and the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada continues to focus on lowland rice cultivation, upland agriculture development and oil palm management in the eight agricultural economies in Southeast Asia. Presently PPI-PPIC ESEAP has activities in lowland and upland areas of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These are targeted to show the benefits of environmentally friendly and balanced fertilizer use in farmers‟ field to sustain high yields, improve quality of farm produce and increase farm income. Fertilizer NPK consumption in S E Asia experienced average annual growth of 5-6% throughout the 1990s. Based on our estimates for the year 2000 we calculated mean annual growth rates for fertilizer N, P205 and K20 consumption for the region of 6.0%, 3.2% and 7.1% since 1990. At present, the slow recovery in most SE Asian economies since the financial crisis in 1997/98, combined with political uncertainty in Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and low agricultural commodity prices has affected the use of agricultural inputs in the region. Southeast Asia‟s population of 550 M will continue to increase by about 10 M yr-1, however, and population growth will continue to act as a major driving force on fertilizer consumption in the region. Based on annual growth of fertilizer NPK consumption at around 5.4% per year, we estimate consumption of approximately 6.7 Mt N, 2.0 Mt P205 and 2.4 Mt K20 in Southeast Asia by 2005. During the last decade of the 20th Century, Vietnam experienced dramatic and unprecedented growth in the use of fertilizer. Fertilizer use grew from 1.35 to 5.4 Mt fertilizer materials between 1990-1999, of which 2.1 Mt was produced domestically and 3.3 Mt was imported (Thuan, 2000). During the same period, average rice yields increased from 3.2 to 4.1 t ha-1 and food production grew from 21.4 Mt to 34.3 Mt paddy equivalent. The increased use of mineral fertilizer is estimated to account for about 30% of this increase. We estimate that fertilizer NPK consumption ratios for food crops in Vietnam improved from 100:15:02 in 1991 to 100:49:23 in 1999. In terms of mineral fertilizer, about 870,000 t N, 430,000 t P205 and 200,000 t K20 are presently used for food crops and about 130,000 t N, 45,000 t P205 and 57,000 K20 for cash crops in Vietnam. Vietnam‟s agriculture is projected to grow annually by more than 4% over the next twenty years. There is very little land to increase the area under cultivation in Vietnam and growth must be achieved through intensification. Adequate and balanced fertilizer use plays an essential role in this respect. A project to safeguard the environmentally friendly and economic use of fertilizers “Balanced Fertilization for Better Crops in Vietnam” (BALCROP) commenced in 1994, funded by the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA). The project, now in its second phase, involves cooperation between farmers, extension workers and representatives of major research institutions in more than twenty provinces of Vietnam. Thirty-five on-farm experiments and 18 on-farm demonstrations were conducted in the year 2000 (Mutert, 1999). In experiments with rice on alluvial and degraded soils of the Red River delta and with coffee on ferralitic soils, the omission of fertilizer N, P, K, Mg, and S from full fertilizer nutrient
C01a88cf-3fb5-4eaf-B686-D1e185cd9981.Doc, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 PPI/PPIC, East & Southeast Asia Programs combinations with and without farm-yard manure resulted in yield reductions of up to 50, 35, 60, 13, and 11% respectively. These results highlight the need for balanced fertilizer use during the present drive for increased intensification (Nguyen and Nguyen, 2000a; Nguyen and Nguyen, 2000b; Pham Thi Doan, 1999). Two publications “The role of K in Vietnamese Agriculture” and “Balanced fertilization for better crops in Vietnam” are under preparation. Two workshops on fertilizer legislation in Vietnam will be held in 2001. ESEAP‟s involvement in lowland rice is centered around the Reversing Trends of Declining Productivity (RDTP) project at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines. This project, jointly funded by the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), the International Potash Institute (IPI) and PPIPPIC has developed Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM), a new and ground-breaking approach to nutrient management in irrigated rice based on the results of on-farm experiments carried out in 6 countries in Asia (Dobermann, 1999; Dobermann and White, 1999; Witt and Dobermann, 1999). On average, rice yields were increased by 0.5 t ha-1 through the introduction of site specific nutrient management techniques that emphasize the importance of balanced nutrient supply, real time nitrogen (N) management, and the importance of potassium (K) fertilizers where straw management practices result in large amounts of K offtake. The project will begin a third and final phase as Reaching Towards Optimum Productivity (RTOP) in 2001 following a detailed review in 1999. Extension of the results into broader-based programs is now under discussion and it is hoped to launch a major program in Indonesia in 2001. A handbook on nutrient management in rice published with IRRI will be released in January 2001 (Doberman and Fairhurst, 2000). In spite of the recent downturn in crude palm oil prices, the area planted to oil palm continues to increase in Indonesia, whilst a major replanting program is underway in Malaysia. There has been little work on nutrient use efficiency in oil palm since the first pioneering work carried out in the 1960s. Since then, however, the crop has been planted in areas with much poorer soil fertility (e.g., South Sumatra, Kalimantan) and the planting material has changed from mainly dura to tenera materials. The Institute has embarked on a collaborative project with the Bah Lias Research Station (BLRS) in North Sumatra on nutrient use efficiency in oil palm. The project „s objective is to combine allometric methods for estimating biomass production (Corley et al., 1971) with tissue analysis to estimate nutrient uptake and thus calculate nutrient use efficiency (Fairhurst, 1999). The method will then be applied to a number of existing quantitative and qualitative fertilizer experiments carried in BLRS. Over the past two years, the Institute has prepared a suite of handbooks for oil palm planters. The three volumes provide a comprehensive guide to nursery management, the development of new plantings and the management of mature plantations (Rankine and Fairhurst, 1999a; Rankine and Fairhurst, 1999b; Rankine and Fairhurst, 1999c). Over 8,000 volumes have been supplied to planters in Malaysia and Indonesia and a Bahasa Indonesia version is under preparation. Oil palm plantations collect large amounts of agronomic data (e.g., yield, leaf and soil analysis, fertilizer use, environmental data) but the information is usually not available in a form that allows convenient analysis. In cooperation with Agrisoft Systems, we have developed a database system that provides the planter and agronomist with a tool for agronomic data storage and analysis. The program includes a wide range of built-in queries, can produce a wide range of standard reports and charts, and can be integrated with GIS software for the production of spatial analysis maps (Fairhurst et al., 2000). Widespread P deficiency continues to frustrate efforts to improve productivity, prevent environmental damage and reduce poverty in Indonesia‟s 35 M ha uplands (Fairhurst et al., 1998a). Over the past three years, the Institute has collaborated with the Centre for Soils and Page 2
C01a88cf-3fb5-4eaf-B686-D1e185cd9981.Doc, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 PPI/PPIC, East & Southeast Asia Programs Agroclimate Research (CSAR) in Bogor, Indonesia for the management of an upland improvement project SebarFos, implemented in five provinces located in Indonesia‟s outer Islands (Jambi, Lampung, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sumatra). The project‟s objective is to demonstrate the impact of a three-pronged strategy for upland improvement that includes a one-time large application of rock phosphate, the introduction of soil conservation measures and the use of improved germplasm (Fairhurst et al., 1998b). The project has demonstrated that large increases in productivity can be achieved when the threepronged rehabilitation strategy is introduced. A full project report will be released in early 2001. The Union of Myanmar, SE Asia‟s second largest country, (population 46 M) continues to evolve towards a market economy. Crop yields are below regional averages and fertilizer use has decreased in recent years due to the regional economic crisis Nevertheless, Myanmar‟s agricultural sector offers enormous potential for improvement. At present about 10 M ha (15% of the total area of 68 M ha) are cultivated with arable crops and only 3 M ha is cultivated more than once per year. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Myanmar Agricultural Service and the International Board of Soil Research & Management (IBSRAM) we have initiated an upland improvement project in Southern Shan State with two farmer groups. The project uses a knowledge-based approach to implement site-specific soil fertility and nutrient management on the farm. It is planned to test the SSNM approach for rice developed in the RDTP project in selected areas of Myanmar‟s irrigated lowland rice lands in 2001. Of Thailand‟s 1 M ha sugarcane, more than 30% is planted in the Northeast. The sandy textured Ultisols used for sugarcane are extremely susceptible to soil degradation due to erosion, uncontrolled surface water run-off, and inappropriate land management techniques. The Institute initiated a collaborative project with the University of Khon Kaen (UKK) to develop a strategy for soil improvement appropriate for use by small-scale sugarcane producers. The strategy involves soil P recapitalization with a large on-time application of rock phosphate, the replenishment of soil organic matter by the application of 10 t ha-1 filter cake, and the use of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) as a green manure crop. Pigeon pea produces a standing biomass of up to 15 t dry matter ha-1 when supplied with sufficient P. On farm experiments were established in 20 farmer‟s fields in two villages near Khon Kaen in 1998. Cane was planted in 1999 following the soil rehabilitation program and the first yield measurements will be taken at the end of 2000. The Institute continues to upgrade its archive of information on tropical agriculture and the use of P and K. We now have a fully searchable literature database containing about 10,000 items and we plan to transfer our slide collection into digital form in 2001. For more information, visit our web site or contact Ernst Mutert or Thomas Fairhurst . References Corley, R. H. V., Hardon, J. J. and Tan, G. Y. (1971) Analysis of growth of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). I. Estimation of growth parameters and application in breeding. Euphytica, 20, 307-315. Doberman, A. and Fairhurst, T. (2000) Rice: Nutrient Disorders & Nutrient Management. PPI, Singapore, 191pp. Page 3
C01a88cf-3fb5-4eaf-B686-D1e185cd9981.Doc, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 PPI/PPIC, East & Southeast Asia Programs Dobermann, A. (1999) Evolution and milestones of the project on Reversing Trends of Declining Productivity in intensive, irrigated rice systems. In: Site-specific Nutrient Management in Irrigated Rice. RTDP Training, Review and Planning Workshop. Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, 2–10 Sep 1999, pp.13. Dobermann, A. and White, P. F. (1999) Strategies for nutrient management in irrigated and rainfed lowland rice systems. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 53, 1-18. Fairhurst, T. (1999) Nutrient use efficiency in oil palm: measurement and management. The Planter, Kuala Lumpur, 75, (877), 177-183. Fairhurst, T., Lefroy, R. and Mutert, E. (1998a) The importance, distribution and causes of P deficiency as a constraint to crop production in the tropics. Agroforestry Forum, In press. Fairhurst, T. F., Gfroerer-Kerstan, A., Rankine, I. R. and Kuruvilla, K. J. (2000) Use of Geographical Information Systems in Plantation Agriculture: Linking Digital Maps to Agronomic Database Sets. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed.) International Planters Conference 2000. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 17-20 May 2000, pp.755-767. Fairhurst, T. H., Lefroy, R. D. B., Mutert, E. W., Sri Adiningsih, J. and Santoso, D. (1998b) Soil fertility recapitalization in acid upland soils in Southeast Asia: the example of Indonesia. In: Proceedings of the 16th World Congress of Soil Science. ISSS/CIRAD, Montpellier, France, 20-26 August 1998, pp.CD-ROM. Mutert, E. (1999) Balcrop 1999: Balanced Fertilization for Better Crops in Vietnam - Annual Report 1999. PPI-PPIC (ESEAP), Singapore, 30pp. Nguyen, V. B. and Nguyen, T. T. (2000a) Balanced Fertilization for Better Crops in the North of Vietnam. National Institute for Soils and Fertilizers, Hanoi, Vietnam, 17pp. Nguyen, V. B. and Nguyen, T. T. (2000b) Balanced Fertilization of coffee in Vietnam. National Institute for Soils and Fertilizers, Hanoi, Vietnam, 9pp. Pham Thi Doan (1999) Balanced fertilization for better crops in the south of Vietnam. Institute of Agricultural Science of South Vietnam / PPI, Ho Chi Minh City, Rankine, I. R. and Fairhurst, T. H. (1999a) Field Handbook: Oil Palm Series Volume 1 – Nursery. (Oil Palm Series), Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPIC), 4T Consultants (4T), Singapore, 135pp. Rankine, I. R. and Fairhurst, T. H. (1999b) Field Handbook: Oil Palm Series Volume 2 – Immature. (Oil Palm Series), Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPIC), 4T Consultants (4T), Singapore, 154pp. Rankine, I. R. and Fairhurst, T. H. (1999c) Field Handbook: Oil Palm Series Volume 3 – Mature. (Oil Palm Series), 2nd. ed. Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPIC), 4T Consultants (4T), Singapore, 135pp. Thuan, D. D. (2000) Vietnam - The Dramatic Increase in Fertilizer Use in Recent Past. (Improving Soil Fertility Management in Southeast Asia), Bogor, Indonesia, 21-23 Nov 2000, 19pp.
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C01a88cf-3fb5-4eaf-B686-D1e185cd9981.Doc, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 PPI/PPIC, East & Southeast Asia Programs Witt, C. and Dobermann, A. (1999) Theory and approach for site-specific nutrient management in irrigated rice. In: Site-specific Nutrient Management in Irrigated Rice. RTDP Training, Review and Planning Workshop. Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, 2–10 Sep 1999, pp.10.
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