The foremost step for a thriving harvest is to create a crop calendar. It provides a solid framework for all the farming activities and allows for better planning of subsequent procedures and production cost. From land preparation to storage, a crop calendar provides a definite schedule for rice production.
Formulating a crop calendar, choosing the variety of seeds and preparing the land are all integral parts of pre-planting. However, in this post, we’d be discussing the growth stage. The growth stage involves a number of processes from planting rice to controlling weeds, pests and diseases, all of which are pivotal for a thriving harvest.
As such, there are two methods of seed plantation; direct seeding and transplanting. Transplanting involves raising the seedlings in a seedbed prior to plantation in the field, while in direct seeding, seedlings are planted directly in the field.
While choosing the right plantation method, a number of factors are in play; ecosystem, available labour, soil type, planting season, etc.
2. Water Management
Perhaps you already know that rice is extremely sensitive to lack of water. Thus it becomes pivotal to implement effective management practices for maximum yield. As a general rule, rice is grown in a land which is continuously flooded for about 10 days prior to the harvest. Flooding the land is an integral way to prepare for sowing and controlling weeds, and ensures that there’s sufficient water.
In Asia, a typical amount of 1500 mm of water is required for irrigation. Just so you know, irrigated rice receives about 40% of the total irrigated water; that’s about 25% of this world’s freshwater resources.
For effective water management, one should:
- Construct field channels
- Land preparation for minimal water shortage
- Leveling the field
- Repairing cracks and holes in the fields
3. Soil Fertility
Another important factor for plant’s healthy growth and sustenance is soil fertility. Therefore it is essential that you apply nutrients to the crop for maximum soil fertility. Owing to the nutritional imbalance in the fields, a number of crop-related problems can arise.
For optimum soil fertility, establish an achievable yield target, regulate the fertilizer use and regularly supply optimum amounts of nutrition.
4. Controlling Weed
Utilize the share of sunlight, water and nutrition meant for rice, weeds effectively decrease yields, elevate production costs, and subsequently reduce product quality. Yield loss is worst during the initial 30 days of sowing. Weed control is therefore important to prevent yield and production losses, both during land preparation and early growth.
5. Controlling Pests and Diseases
As estimated, farmers lose about 35% of their yearly yield to crop diseases and pests. To limit these inhibitors, one should:
- Clean the field between seasons
- Use pest resistant, clean seed varieties
- Encourage natural pest inhibitors and don’t over apply fertilizers
- Don’t use fertilizers within the first month of sowing
Article Source : EzineArticles
