Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
Shifting cultivation of dry rice on steep hill-sides continues to be widely practised in Sarawak, Malaysia. Fertilizer experiments have shown that economic increases in yield can be obtained by mixing 0·9 kg. (2 lb) of mono-ammonium phosphate pellets (11 per cent N: 21 per cent P) with 2·4 kg. (5·3 lb) of seed just before dibbling. In certain areas additional increases might be gained by further increasing the rate of application of phosphorus, from the use of potassium, and from top-dressing with nitrogen. Closer spacing (30·5 cm. or 12 in. square) than that traditionally used should also increase yields per unit area.