What it does

Low spots in the field have softer soils, causing problems of seed emergence. When the field dries, snails group together at the low spot. 

Why and where it occurs

The problem occurs due to unevenness of fields and where the low spots lie below the water level leading to water ponding. The problems arising from low spots tends to be more in direct seeded fields.

How to identify

Check the field level. When there are low spots:

• parts of the field are lower than the surrounding area and lower than the average elevation for the entire field
• plants at these points often have crop stand problems as they are focal points for snail attack or crop emergence problems

The pattern of damage is usually in patches.

Click on images to enlarge

Parts of the field are higher than the surrounding area

 

 

How to manage

• Level fields carefully
• Maintain a flat even surface when plowing

Learn more

View full fact sheet:
Field level (Low spots) on IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank