production technology of rice

2. Production technology, Nursery raising,
Protection technology, and Marketing
AE-505
(Philosophy of Agricultural Extension)
Ahmad Raza Khalid

4. There are three major methods of raising nursery for Rice in India. They
are
• The Wet Nursery
• The Dry Nursery
• The Dapog Method
The Wet Nursery
Wet nursery is that where sprouted seed is sown on the moist puddled
soil. Wet nurseries are preferred under irrigated condition.
The Dry Nursery
The dry nursery where the dry seed is sown in dry soil. The seedlings
obtained from the dry nurseries are generally hardy.
The Dapog Method
The essential feature of this method is to have a very thick stand of
the nursery seedlings without any contact with the soil. Generally, this
method is used especially in places where there is assured water-
supply and when early transplanting is needed.

5. Field preparation
• When possible, plow immediately after the previous
harvest — especially if the soil is still moist.
• First or primary plowing. Use a disc or moldboard
plow to kill weeds and incorporate crop residue,
preferably 6–8 weeks before planting with maximum
depth of 10 cm.
• Second plowing. Plow across the field with the disc or
tine harrow at least twice to make small clod sizes.
Second plowing should be 2–3 weeks before planting
and the last harrowing 1 week before planting with
maximum depth of 5–7.5 cm.

6. Field preparation
• Repair bunds, destroy rat burrows, repair any
holes and cracks, and recompact the bunds.
Bunds should be at least 0.5 m high and 1 m
wide.
• Leveling the field will give better water
coverage, better crop establishment, and
better weed control.
• Soil puddling should be done at least 1–2
days before seeding to allow the water to
clear when direct seeding.

7. Seed Rate
 Farmer must use the healthy seed @15-20 kg
per acre.
 The seed may be soaked for 8 hours and dry
it for few hours in the shade to decrease the
surface moisture content of the seeds that
facilitates its free flow during seeding with
drill.
 Soaking of seed with Topsin-M/Vitawax (@ 2
gram/Kg of seed) eliminates or reduces seed
borne and soil born diseases.

8. Fertilizer Application
 Full dose of P and K (1-1.5 bags DAP and 1
bag SOP per acre) may be applied at
sowing.
 While, 80 per cent of the recommended
dose of Nitrogen (2.0-2.5 bags Urea for
Basmati & 2.5-3.0 bags for non-basmati)
should be applied between 30-70 days
after sowing of rice.
 The remaining 20 % nitrogen may be
applied before flowering.

9. Harvesting
Crops should be harvested when:
• Grain moisture is between 20–22%, which is
normally about 30 days after flowering;
• 80–85% of the grains are strawcolored;
• Grains in the lower part of the panicle are
hard, not soft; and
• Grains are firm but not easily broken when
squeezed between the teeth.

10. Weed Control
 Weeds are a major concern for high productivity
in this new rice cultivation system.
 The pre- sowing herbicides like Pendimethalin,
Stamp can beapplied immediate after seeding.
 Then, 30-35 days after sowing, when maximum
weeds appear, post-emergence herbicides like,
Clover (Bispyrbac Sodium) and Pyranex Gold 30%
WDG can be used for effective control of weeds.

11. Disease Management
The rice mainly suffers from bacterial leaf blight, blast and
brown leaf spot, stem rot, kernel smut and false smut, which
cause substantial losses annually. These diseases can be
managed by applying integrated approach. Such as:
a. Seed treatment with available seed dresser like Topsin M
(70%) WP
b. Planting of resistant varieties
c. Using fungicides/bactericides (Copper oxychloride, Cobox
etc for BLB, Difenoconazol for blast)
d. Balanced fertilizer application
e. Crop rotation
f. Field sanitation
g. Proper water management

12. Step 1. Use a crop calendar
Step 2. Choose the best variety
Step 3. Use high quality seed
Step 4. Prepare and level the fields well
Step 5. Plant on time
Step 6. Weed early
Step 7. Fertilize to maximize returns
Step 8. Use water efficiently
Step 9. Control pests and diseases effectively
Step 10. Harvest on time
Step 11. Store safely
Step 12. Mill efficiently
Step 13. Understand the market

13. The value of milled rice in the market is
determined by a number of physical and
chemical characteristics, and the consumers,
which will vary within and between countries.
Physical Properties:
 Milling degree or color.
 Head rice percentage or % broken.
 Whiteness or translucency.
 Chalkiness.

14. Chemical Properties:
 Gelatinization temperature or cooking time.
 Amylose content or stickiness.
 Gel consistency measures the tendency of the
cooked rice to harden on cooling.