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RICE CULTIVATION MANUAL
1. Variety Selection
Choose varieties or hybrids based on the agro-ecosystem, water availability, and stress
profile of the region.
- Irrigated ecosystems: Prefer semi-dwarf, high-tillering hybrids with strong lodging resistance and short-to-medium duration (120–135 days).
- Rain-fed uplands: Choose drought-tolerant, early-maturing varieties (100–110 days) with better root vigour.
- Submergence-prone areas: Opt for varieties with SUB1 gene (e.g., Swarna-Sub1) which tolerate submergence for 10–14 days.
- Salinity-prone areas: Use salt-tolerant varieties with enhanced Na⁺ exclusion mechanisms.
2. Sowing Season (Agro-climatic Considerations)
Selecting the correct genotype ensures stable tillering, high panicle density, and
better grain quality across environments.
- Kharif: Utilize monsoon moisture; ideal for transplanted & DSR systems.
- Rabi/Boro: Grown in assured irrigation zones (Eastern India, AP, Telangana); requires temperature above 16°C for proper flowering. Timely sowing ensures synchronous tillering, optimum panicle initiation, and reduced pest pressure.
3. Land Preparation (Technical Approach)
Land preparation is critical for weed suppression, puddling eiciency, and
uniform seedling establishment.
- Primary tillage: 2–3 ploughings to break clods, incorporate residues, and level the field.
- Puddling: 2–3 puddling operations under 5–7 cm standing water develops a soft, water-resistant layer reducing percolation loss.
- Organic matter: Incorporate 2–4 tons FYM/acre during last puddling → improves soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrient availability. Proper puddling enhances transplanting eiciency and reduces nutrient leaching.
4. Seedbed / Sowing Management
Seed Rate (Based on Crop Establishment Method)
- Hybrid rice: 6 kg/acre
- DSR (Direct Seeded Rice): 8–10 kg/acre
- Varietal selection rice (transplanted): 10 kg/acre
Technical Practices
- Maintain a uniform sowing window based on season and rainfall pattern to achieve even flowering and fertilizer response.
- Apply Cartap Hydrochloride 4G to seedbed to reduce early stem borer incidence.
- Ensure raised or mat-type nurseries with balanced moisture to produce healthy seedlings.
5.Recommended Spacing
- Transplant 20–25 day-old seedlings for hybrids; 18–22 days for varieties.
Plant population:
- Long-duration (120-day): ~33 plants/m²
- Early/very-early varieties: 40–45 plants/m²
- DSR spacing: 20 cm row spacing with 2–3 seeds per hill. Uniform plant stand is critical for optimum tillering and reduced lodging.
6. Nutrient Management (Advanced Technical POP)
Nutrient management must be tailored to soil fertility, water availability, and expected
crop duration.
Recommended NPK Levels
Maintain 60:25:25 kg/acre through soil testing, Leaf Colour Chart (LCC), and SAU specific guidelines.
Application Strategy
Nitrogen:
- Apply 1/3 basal + 2–3 topdressings at Tillering, Panicle Initiation (PI), and Heading.
- Split application synchronizes N demand with crop uptake and minimizes volatilization.
Phosphorus:
- Apply 50% basal + 50% before flowering to improve grain filling and disease resistance.
Potassium :
- Apply 50% basal + 50% before flowering to improve grain filling and disease resistance.
Micronutrients
- Zinc Sulphate @ 10 kg/acre particularly for zinc-deficient soils common in rice– rice and rice–wheat systems. Zinc ensures proper root elongation, enzyme activation, and disease resistance.
7. Water Management (Scientific Recommendations)
- Maintain 2–5 cm standing water during active growth stages (tillering to PI).
- Avoid stagnation during early germination stage (DSR).
Adopt AWD (Alternate Wetting and Drying):
- Irrigate when hairline cracks appear
- Saves 25–30% water
- Reduces lodging and methane emission
- Drain water at grain dough stage to ensure uniform maturity and reduce chainess.
8. Weed Management (Technical Guidance)
Weeds aect rice severely during early stages (0–45 DAS). Use an integrated
approach.
Chemical Herbicides
DSR:
- Pre-emergence: Pendimethalin @ 0.4 kg a.i./acre
- Post-emergence: Bispyribac Sodium @ 8–10 g a.i./acre
Transplanted rice:
- Oxadiargyl 80% WP @ 35 g/acre OR
- Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% GR @ 2.5 kg/acre (apply 3–4 DAT with 24 hrs standing water)
Manual Weeding
- Two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAT, critical for hybrid rice where canopy closes late.
9. Pest & Disease Management (IPM-Based Approach)
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporating cultural, biological, and chemical
control.
Major Pests
- Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC @ 60 ml/acre or 0.4% G @ 4 kg/acre
BPH / GLH:
- Buprofezin @ 0.6 ml/L
- Pymetrozine 50 WG @ 120 g/acre
- Triflumezopyrim 10 SC @ 0.47 ml/L
Major Diseases
Blast / BLB:
- Tricyclazole @ 1 g/L of water
Sheath Blight:
- Validamycin 3L @ 2 ml/L
Sheath Rot:
- Propiconazole @ 2 ml/L
Use resistant varieties, avoid excessive nitrogen, and maintain proper spacing to reduce disease incidence.
10. Harvesting & Post-harvest Management
- Harvest when 80–85% grains turn golden-yellow and are hard.
- Timely harvesting prevents shattering and lodging-related losses.
- Dry grain to <14% moisture before storage to avoid fungal infection and weevil damage.
11. Note
Approach nearest KVK, Agriculture Department, or Agricultural University for regionspecific
technical recommendations. Good yields are achievable under proper
agronomic management and favourable weather conditions.