With more than 1.3 billion people to feed, Rice continues to be of prime importance to sustain food security in the country. India’s rice productivity needs to improve to achieve future production by the adoption of high-yielding technologies, practicing effective cropping patterns & rationalizing the use of fertilizers, especially Nitrogen. There are various scientific data to show that the application of Nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium fertilizers can produce higher yields in comparison to either applying only nitrogen or Nitrogen & phosphorus. Given the fact that India’s soil generally suffers from multi-nutrient deficiency, it is vital to apply the right set of fertilizers to maximize yield.
Climate and Soil Requirement
Rice is a tropical plant that flourishes comfortably in hot and humid climate. Considering this, it is best suited to regions that have high humidity, prolonged sunshine and an assured supply of water. Rice is also grown through irrigation in areas that receive comparatively less rainfall. It grows on a variety of soils like silts, loams and gravels and can tolerate alkaline as well as acidic soils. However, clayey loam is the best suited to raise the crop as it can be easily converted into mud in which rice seedlings can be transplanted.
Crop Season
Region/State
Autumn
Winter
Summer
Sowing
Harvesting
Sowing
Harvesting
Sowing
Harvesting
Punjab
May-Aug
Sep-Nov
-
-
-
-
Gujarat
-
-
Jun-Aug
Oct-Dec
-
-
Maharashtra
-
-
Jun-July
Oct-Dec
-
-
Rajasthan
-
-
July-Aug
Oct-Dec
-
-
Bihar
May-July
Sep-Oct
July-Sep
Nov-Dec
Jan-Feb
May-June
Madhya Pradesh
June-Aug
Mid Sep - Mid Dec
-
-
-
-
Odisha
May-June
Sep-Oct
June-Aug
Dec-Jan
Dec-Jan
May-June
West Bengal
Mar-June (Broadcasting) May-June (Transplanting)
July-Nov
Apr-June (Broadcasting) July-Aug (Transplanting)
Nov-Dec
Oct-Feb
Apr-May
Andhra Pradesh
Mar-April
July-Aug
May-June
Nov-Dec
Dec-Jan
April-May
Karnataka
May-Aug
Sep-Dec
June-Oct
Nov-March
Dec-Feb
April-July
Field preparation and spacing
For paddy crop cultivation, the field is first prepared by plowing followed by harrowing. The rice field is filled with water and is puddled twice by paddy puddler or once by rotavator. Paddy seedlings should be planted in line to maintain plant population and easy management. Straight rows make convenient practices such as hand or rotary weeding and the application of fertilizers. The spacing between the rows varies from 15 to 30 cm as per the variety and the age of the seedling. In general, row spacing of 15 to 20 cm is adopted. Ropes are stretched along the field and planting is carried out keeping the rope as a baseline.
Fertilizer Scheduling
Stages
Days
Product with Dosages
Application Method of fertilizer
Benefits
Transplanting
-
DAP- 50 kg/acre MOP- 25 kg/acre K-Mag- 25 kg/acre
Basal
Best Fertilizer for proper root establishment and shoot growth
Vegetative & Tillering Stage
0-40 DAT
Seaweed - 3 mL/L + Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1-1.25 mL/L (250 mL/acre) at 20-30 DAT
Topdressing Urea along with MOP- 25 kg @ 30-40 DAT
Spraying Soil application
Further root development, improves plant growth and number of tillers, minimizing chances of Khaira disease incidence, better nutrient uptake, provide strength to the stem,
lodging resistance, pest and disease tolerance, improves number of fertile spikelets better grain filling, development, and yield.
Panicle Initiation Stage
40-60 DAT
Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron– 1 mL/L at 40-50 DAT
Spraying
Helps in production of panicles, better fertilization
*DAT- Days after transplanting. Based on hybrid/varieties days between stages and crop duration will vary *Above dosages are applicable for Southern states.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
Deficiencies
Symptoms
Affected area
Nutrition Required
Zinc
Khaira disease- Presence of dusty brown patches on leaves which ultimately undergo necrosis (brown)
Decreases tillering and increase spikelet sterility, Stunted growth of plants
Foliar application of Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc at 1-1.25mL/L (250mL/acre) twice at fortnight interval
Phosphorus
Older leaves turn brownish red and purple colour
Plants stunted with reduced tillering
Apply recommended dose of DAP at the time of transplanting
Potassium
Brown leaf margins and brown necrotic spots on the tips of older leaves
Rusty brown spots on the panicles and poor grain formation
Apply recommended dose of MOP and 25 kg K Mag
Magnesium
Pale-colored plants with orange-yellow interveinal chlorosis on older leaves
Reduced number of spikelets and grain quality
Apply Mosaic K Mag @ 25 kg/acre
Sulphur
Young leaves chlorotic or light green colored with the tips becoming necrotic
Growth is stunted, reduced yield
Apply Mosaic K Mag @ 25 kg/acre
Boron
White and rolled leaf tips of young leaves
Reduction in plant height,Death of growing points, Plants unable to produce panicles
Foliar application of Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L twice at fortnight interval
Paddy
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