research studies show benefits of rice straw incorporation
Studies show rice straw incorporation increases fertility in the soil over the long-term.
If you bale the straw you lose all of the nutrients. If you burn the straw you loose the Nitrogen.
If you incorporate the straw you keep all of the nutrients to enhance soil.
Approximate Nutrient Values of Rice Straw:
50-80 lbs of nitrogen per acre
2-4 lbs of phosphorus per acre
50-80 lbs of potassium per acre
15-30 lbs of sulfur per acre
Carbon Storage in the soil is enhanced by incorporation. Microbes need moisture to break down straw.
In dry soil there is not enough water to support microbial activity. In saturated soil, air is excluded and decomposition occurs.
Winter flooding enhances the decomposition of straw.
Waterfowl is attracted to flooded fields. Foraging of waterfowl enhances the breakdown of straw.
"Farm advisors and producers involved in the study have found winter flooding to be a viable, cost effective and environmentally beneficial method of solving the rice straw disposal problem.”
Dr. Chris van Kessel, Dr.Willi Horwath Managing Rice Straw: Research Shows Many Advantages of Winter Flooding,
Rice Straw Management Update March 6, 2001 pg.8 UC Cooperative Extension, 2002 Annual Rice Meetings
California Rice Research Board 33rd Annual Report
A variety of rollers are used to flatten rice straw against the soil to speed decomposition. This method provides easy access to the residual food because it is left on top of the soil. Even after grain and weed seeds are depleted, waterfowl and shorebirds remain in the fields to feed on insects and snails residing in the soil and decaying straw (Ducks Unlimited, Inc., 1995).
Flooded rice fields provide approximately 300 pounds/acre of macro invertibrates. Therefore, winter flooded fields provide critical wetland habitat for wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl that pass through the Sacramento Valley during this period. Winter flooding is probably one of the most outstanding positive environmental effects of rice farming, and would not be achievable under any feasible alternative land use.
If you bale the straw you lose all of the nutrients. If you burn the straw you loose the Nitrogen.
If you incorporate the straw you keep all of the nutrients to enhance soil.
Approximate Nutrient Values of Rice Straw:
50-80 lbs of nitrogen per acre
2-4 lbs of phosphorus per acre
50-80 lbs of potassium per acre
15-30 lbs of sulfur per acre
Carbon Storage in the soil is enhanced by incorporation. Microbes need moisture to break down straw.
In dry soil there is not enough water to support microbial activity. In saturated soil, air is excluded and decomposition occurs.
Winter flooding enhances the decomposition of straw.
Waterfowl is attracted to flooded fields. Foraging of waterfowl enhances the breakdown of straw.
"Farm advisors and producers involved in the study have found winter flooding to be a viable, cost effective and environmentally beneficial method of solving the rice straw disposal problem.”
Dr. Chris van Kessel, Dr.Willi Horwath Managing Rice Straw: Research Shows Many Advantages of Winter Flooding,
Rice Straw Management Update March 6, 2001 pg.8 UC Cooperative Extension, 2002 Annual Rice Meetings
California Rice Research Board 33rd Annual Report
A variety of rollers are used to flatten rice straw against the soil to speed decomposition. This method provides easy access to the residual food because it is left on top of the soil. Even after grain and weed seeds are depleted, waterfowl and shorebirds remain in the fields to feed on insects and snails residing in the soil and decaying straw (Ducks Unlimited, Inc., 1995).
Flooded rice fields provide approximately 300 pounds/acre of macro invertibrates. Therefore, winter flooded fields provide critical wetland habitat for wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl that pass through the Sacramento Valley during this period. Winter flooding is probably one of the most outstanding positive environmental effects of rice farming, and would not be achievable under any feasible alternative land use.