Semisubmerged Cropping Semisubmerged Cropping in Rice Fish Culture in Jiangxi Province Liu Kaishu, Zhang Ningzhen, Zeng Heng, Shi Guoan, and Wu Haixiang Most of the 0.5 million ha of croplands in Jiangxi Province are pit fields, ridged fields, alluvial fields, and low grounds near the lakeside. The high water table is mainly responsible for the poor drainage of accumulated water. Constant water saturation has turned the soil to gley, which is cold, infertile, acidic, poisonous and lacks oxygen. Under these conditions, water, nutrients, air, and temperature are unfavourable to the growth and development of rice.
Most regions yield one crop of rice a year, i.e., middle late rice, but yield is low.
To transform these low-yielding lands and increase crop production, a semiarid rice production initiated by Professor Hou Guangjiong was introduced in 1986 into the mountainous area of Gannan Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. This method of semisubmerged cropping in rice fish culture has been improved to suit local conditions and has increased crop yields. The physical changes raise the temperature of the soil and water, speed the catabolism of organic matter and the release of nutrients, and decrease the effect of toxic substances. As a result, seedlings revive sooner after transplanting, grow quickly, and have more white roots. It is an excellent model of ecological agriculture that is applicable in all districts.