In 1998 I was asked to be involved with rice trials near Changsha in the Hunan Province. This was with the HAAS (Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science) a research centre looking at improving rice and vegetable yields. My objective was to show how we can increase both the yield and quality of rice/vegetables with a balanced fertiliser program using what is known as the Albrecht model.

I entered into a research agreement and in 1998 the trials started. The following summary of these trials was published in the Australian Grains Field Research Manual 2000.

RICE & VEGETABLE TRIALS HUNAN PROVINCE CHINA

Research Centre: HAAS (Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science)

Place: Changsha China

Trial Date: Vegetables, November 1998. Early rice, April 1999. Late rice July 1999.

Trial Period: Initially two rice crops. Early rice & Late rice. Both grown in the same season. One initial vegetable trial. The continuation of the trial would depend on initial results.

Purpose: To establish if the Pro Ag Consulting programme would show beneficial results under Chinese conditions. The programme consisted of balancing the soil cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na) and bringing soil Phosphorus and sulphur to the ideal. Foliar applications were used on the vegetables.

Expected outcome: To increase both rice and vegetable volumes and nutritional quality so that the general health of the Chinese people would benefit.

Numbers of plots: All trials duplicated on various areas in the Hunan Province.

Properties: Trials are to be on commercial properties. Under the Chinese Government system trials are conducted on farmer owned properties. Contracts state, that the farmer is compensated for any losses contributed to the trials.

Programme:

Ø Soils were collected by staff from Haas and sent for analysis to the Perry Ag Laboratory.

Ø Data formulated into fertiliser programme by Bryan McLeod of Pro Ag Consulting.

Ø Fertiliser applied by Haas staff under direction of Pro Ag Consulting.

Ø Leaf analysis taken by Haas during growth periods.

Ø Foliar applications were applied base both on soil and plant analysis. Every 14 days to vegetables. Rice crops received two applications.

Results:

Vegetables: 20% increase in volume. Increased leaf area, increased stalk strength, increased

Nutritional content

Rice, Early Variety.

Tillers. Pro Ag treatment showed an increase in tillers of 150,000/ha

Yield. Control Early rice 450kgs/MU (15MU/Ha) = 6.750 tn/Ha

Pro Ag Early rice 510kgs/MU = 7.650 tn/Ha

Increased yield = 0.9 tn/Ha

Late rice: Control Late rice 500kgs/MU (15MU/Ha) = 7.50 tn/Ha (Calculated by Haas.)

Pro Ag 560kgs/MU = 8.40 tn/ha (Calculated by Haas.)

Increased yield = 0.9 tn/Ha

Total increase = 1.80 tn /Ha (12.7%)

The late rice volume is an expected minimum as the initial data points to a greater result.

Nutritional content of the rice was also increased by 12% which is a good result especially when combined with the increased yield of 1.8tn/ha

Also note the significant increase in the number of tillers in the treated area

THE FOLLOWING IS A REVIEW OF THE TRIALS PUBLISHED IN THE AUSTRALIAN GRAINS FIELD RESEARCH MANUAL 2000