The Effect of Evaporation Suppressant on Standing Water
in the Ricefield and on the Growth and Yield
Performance of Lowland Rice

Rhuelyn A. Ballaran1, Jim dela Cruz2, Nerilyn J. Victoria3, Vicente G. Ballaran Jr.4,
Moises A. Dorado5, Milagros M. Peralta6

 ABSTRACT

Effect of evaporation suppressant (ES) on lowland rice production was investigated in the field during wet season (WS) 2015 and dry season (DS) 2018. Treatments were control (no evaporation suppressant), 50% of recommended rate (RR) of evaporation suppressant and 100% RR for three replications. During WS, ES can suppress as much as 61% of evaporation with an average of 18.67% suppression for 100% RR. It is highly significant to apply during DS wherein it suppressed water evaporation by as much as 100% with an average suppression of 57.34%. Evaporation suppressant had no significant adverse effect on different rice plant growth parameters like plant height, phenological stages and yields. Treatment means for yields were not significantly different compared to the control. Application of evaporation suppressant can be economically feasible during DS and is not advisable during the WS where water is not limiting unless prolonged dry spell is forecasted or onset of rain is delayed. Although it can further save money and suppress evaporation (46.15% on the average) if applied at 50% of RR, a full use of 100% RR is still advisable due to its full spread on top of the water layer so long as wind disruption will not be a problem.

Keywords: evaporation suppressant, water saving technology, lowland rice production

1Assistant Professor, 2Student Researcher, 3Science Research Assistant, Institute of Engineering and Applied Technology, Bulacan Agricultural State College, Bulacan, Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. (Author for correspondence email: [email protected])
4Assistant Professor 3, 5Professor 1, Agrometerology and Farm Structures Division, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Ban os, 4031, College, Laguna, Philippines
6Professor 4, Institute of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Ban os, 4031, College, Laguna, Philippines

Citation: Ballaran, R.A., dela Cruz, J., Victoria, N.J., Ballaran, V.G. Jr., Dorado, M.A., Peralta, M.M. (2018). The Effect of Evaporation Suppressant on Standing Water in the Ricefield and on the Growth and Yield Performance of Lowland Rice. Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 14, 71-78.