Field Diagnosis of Soil Conditions in Small Holder Farms: S - PowerPoint Presentation

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Field Diagnosis of Soil Conditions in Small Holder Farms: Some Thai experience

Russell Yost1, Tasnee Attanandana2, Prateep Verapattananirund3, Sahaschai Kongton4, Roongroj Pitukdantham21University of Hawai`i at Manoa2Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand3Pan-Group, Bangkok, Thailand4Department of Land Development, Bangkok, ThailandSlide2

Challenges of small farms in Thailand:

Farms are quite small (3.2 – 6.4 ha)Large variation in soil orders: Oxisols, Ultisols, Alfisols, Mollisols.Can the attractive concepts of precision agriculture be applied to such small farms? Right amounts of the right nutrient at the right time to the right crop at the right place?Slide3

“Tailor-made Fertilization”

“Tailor-made” fertilization was comprised of four modules/steps:1. Field identification of soil series (5 field observable criteria)2. Soil test kit analysis of field soil3. Fertilizer recommendations with computer-based decision-aids4. Farmer empowerment – people-centered development, interactive learning, farmer networkingSlide4

1. Field Identification of Soils

Soil series were identified based on 5 field observable criteria; soil color, soil texture, depth, stoniness, and soil pH. Potentially uniquely identifying 324 soils.Farmers learned thenames of their soils,using the names to share and compareexperience Slide5

2. Soil test kit

A soil test kit was developedand patented for use in tropical soils.Farmer leaders learned touse the kit and trained otherfarmersSlide6

3. Computer-based Decision-aid

Decision-aid structure - nutrient management:3.1 Diagnosis – What is missing / deficient?3.2 Prediction – How much of what is needed?3.3 Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the predicted fertilizer application?3.4 Recommendation – Summarize the information in a form usable by the grower / producer.This structure can be implemented on a computer and shared with others as software (Phosphorus Decision Support System).Slide7

4. Farmer leaders teaching farmersSlide8
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Comparison of fertilizer cost and maize yield using tailor-made fertilizer and farmer’s practice

FarmerTailor-made fertilizer technologyFarmer’s practice Fertilizer cost(US$/ha)Yield (kg/ha)Fertilizer cost

(US$/ha)Yield (kg/ha)Kampan

20011,575

233

9,744

Jiradet

200

7,500

265

5,938

Boonkham

171

9,281

232

8,344

Tien

200

11,063

245

9,594

average

192.8

9,855

243.8

8,405Slide10

Economic Benefit – Tailor Made Fertilizer RecommendationsSlide11

Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in AfricaSlide12

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology Slide13

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)Slide14

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)Slide15

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)Slide16

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)Slide17

Farmers training on Tailor-made

fertilizer technology Slide18

Demonstration of soil testing to students and farmersSlide19

Soil clinicSlide20

Soil clinicSlide21

Using the Thai test kit to test the soil before fertilizer application at the soil clinicSlide22

Field

Diagnosis of Small Holder Agriculture -- Some Thai ExperienceAttractive features of Precision Agriculture were adapted to small farm conditionsSoil identification, Diagnosis, Prediction, Economic Solutions to nutrient limitations to crop productionFarmer leaders were identified, contrasting with “Leading farmers”Slide23

Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in AfricaSlide24

Collecting soils for diagnosisSlide25

Diagnostic Information:

Field testing a diagnosis in the Philippines: Is there

an economic response or not?Slide26

Example Implementation of the Structure of Nutrient Management: (Phosphorus Decision Support System)Slide27

Awards

2009 Outstanding technologist

(

Science and technology Promotion Foundation

)

2011 Outstanding research

(Thailand Research Fund)

2012 Thai Senate acknowledgement award (science for excellence)

“Tailor-made fertilizer technology for maize, rice and sugarcaneSlide28

Conclusions

Nutrient Management for small holder farms:Field identification of soil – soils can have names!Field testing of soil pH, N, P, and KDecision-aidsDiagnosis – What is missing / deficient?Prediction – How much of what is needed?Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the change?Recommendation – Summarize the information in a form understandable by the grower / producer.Farmer empowerment – Farmer Leaders, farmer networkingSoil clinic establishment-sustainable of the technology by farmers in the community