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Local Field Crops Research

Project Coordinator : Nipon Iamsupasit

Apart from sugarcane and sorghum which are the mandated crops of Suphan Buri FCRC, other field crops such as corn, soybean and cotton are also important in the western areas and need to be considered as well. Much corn has been grown in Kanchanaburi and Suphan Buri province with a combined area of 60,000 ha. Soybean and cotton are found in Kanchanaburi with an area at about 5,500 ha. The average yield per unit area of these crops has often been observed to be lower than the national averages. This indicates that farmers are faced with many problems in crop production. To cope with these problems, the Local Field Crops Research Project was initiated. Constraining factors to crop production have been identified as follows.

In 1995-1996, the aims of the research were to 1) control Heliothis armigera (Hubner) through biocontrol, 2) study the suitable planting time and to test the technology for growing corn in the paddy field and 3) improve the soybean variety suitable for the western region. The results of the trials were as follows.

The suitable rate of neem extract substances applied together with the effective substances to control Heliothis armigcra (Hubner).

Three rates of neem extract substances (40 ppm, 60 ppm and 80 ppm) were used together with 3 types of the effective substances (milk powder, vegetable oil (sun tec) and Triton (S-7)). Chemical substances were also used as a check. The experiment was conducted at Suphan Buri FCRC. The results indicated that all rates of neem extract substances plus the effective substances can control H. armigera as good as chemical substances except at the low rate of neem extract substance. It was also found that the applications of all treatments gave a significantly better control compared to the non-application treatment.

Use of micro-organisms and neem extract substances to control Heliothis armigera (Hubner).

In the past, it was found that use of NPV mixed with the package substances gave good results in the control of H.armigera. The micro-organisms such as Bacillus truringicnsis var aizawai (Bt. Lightning) has been reported to be able to control H.armigera as well. Thus, the experiment was performed to compare the effectiveness of NPV and Bt. in controlling H.armigera. The results suggested that the application of NPV with the package substances can control H.armigera better than Bt. compared with other treatments, the results also were shown to be that it was as effective as using chemical or neem applications.

Effects of planting dates on growth and yield of corn in the western region.

Corn is one of major crops that grows in the western region, usually under rainfed conditions. The start of the crop season usually relies on rain only and therefore the time of planting is of critical importance. The planting times started in May and ran through to August. The three corn varieties studied were, Nakorn Sawan 1 (OP-variety) and 2 hybrid corn varieties. The experiment was conducted at 2 locations, Suphan Buri FCRC and Houy Ong-kot Royal Project, Kanchanaburi. The results revealed that June was the most suitable planting time for corn at Suphan Buri FCRC whereas July was the most suitable planting time at Houy Ong-kot Royal Project. It has been observed that growing earlier or later than the suitable time such as in May or August, the hybrid varieties were able to perform better than the op-variety both in growth and yield. However, at the suitable times were not significant different between both types of varieties.

Corn field test in the paddy field of the western region.

Research in the past have indicated that there was the potential to grow corn in the field and achievedyields of upto 6.25 ton/ha of grain using hybrid varieties. The technologies used such as hybrid varieties, fertilizer applications and plant populations have therefore been tested in the paddy field. The technologies have been group into (1) technologies recommended by the government sector and (2) technologies recommended by the private sector (seed companies). Details of technologies obtained from the government sector were hybrid variety using SW3701, recommended fertilizer was 20-20-0 with a split application of 312 kg/ha, that is 156.2 kg/ha to be given at planting time and 156.2 k/ha one month after planting. Plant populations were 5,333 and 66,662 plants/ha. Recommended fertilizers and hybrids varieties differed between different seed companies. Six locations were chosen for the test in 5 provinces. The results showed that grain yield between locations ranged from 1,250-3,750 kg/ha. The low yield potential in the farmers fields was caused by 2 factors. These factors were in appropriate land preparation and water management. The use of fertilizers did not show any promising results due to the factors mentioned above. However, increasing plant populations can increase grain yield, but this depended on varieties also. It was observed that varieties from seed companies showed a better potential than SW 3701 in drought conditions.

Plant to row selection in 4 soybean populations.

Soybean has been referred as one of the most important crops in the Western region. At present, soybean production from this region is not sufficient to fulfill the domestic consumption demand. However, there is potential to increase its production in the region. Consideration should be given to high yield varieties and their adaptation to the region. To develop such soybean variety, four populations (F4 generation) of soybean (CM 9238, CM 9207, CM 9203 and CM 9206) were introduced from Chiang Mai Field Crops Research Center and selected in the Kamphaengsaen Soil Series at Suphan Buri Field Crops Research Center. Each population was taken through 3 stages of selection ; bulk seed in 1994 ER, single plant selection in 1994 LR and line or family selection in 1995 ER. Data from the single plant selection trial, especially grain weight per plant indicated that the mean and standard deviation of CM 9238 were the highest values, whereas those from CM 9206 were the lowest (as shown in table below). This suggested that there were greater possibilities to select for high yield varieties in this rather than other populations.

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