Soil fabrics of the plowed layer of flooded rice fields

Abstract

For a long while Japanese agricultural workers have centered their efforts to an increase in rice production, confirming the extreme importance of appropriate water controlling for a good crop. Meanwhile, Japanese farmers have traditionally practiced to keep their fields in a dry state for several days in the mid-summer. They have been convinced of healthy plants with temporarily draining off water. Its season is generally in the dog-days from the end of July to the beginning of August, and the degree of drainage seems to be decided by farmer's private views or experience. For instance, the Japan's No. 1 prize winner in technical skill of rice competition in 1950 withdrew water until light marks remained when stepped in the field, while the 1952's winner drained his field until slight cracking on ground for the period August 11 to 13 (4). They were really successful in obtaining 7.71 and 9.27 tons of brown rice per hectare, respectively. However, it appears to be needed to bring out the scientific meanings of the practice more clearly in order to make it reasonably and universaly, provided the practice is indispensable for a good rice crop.