Rice Farming: Monsoon is starting across the country and with it, farmers start preparing for paddy cultivation in the fields. Good yield in paddy cultivation is not only achieved by choosing the right variety, but also by doing every step properly, from nursery preparation to transplantation, fertilizer management and initial care of the crop. According to agricultural experts, due to haste or lack of knowledge, farmers often make such mistakes in paddy cultivation, which directly impact the production.

From breakage of paddy roots to applying fertilizer at wrong time and wrong management of water in one’s fields, many small carelessness weakens the crop. In such a situation, let us tell you today which mistakes can be costly in paddy cultivation and what warnings do experts give for this.

Do not be hasty while taking out plants from the nursery.

According to agricultural experts, before uprooting the plants from the paddy nursery, adequate water should be given in the plant beds a day before. Due to this, the soil becomes soft and there is no extra pressure on the roots while taking out the sapling. If the seedlings are pulled along with dry soil, the risk of root breakage increases, due to which the seedlings are not able to set properly after transplanting in the main field. While removing the sapling, one should hold the lower part of its stem and pull it straight upwards, so that the roots remain safe and the soil gets separated easily. Experts say that the uprooted sapling should not be kept in the open for a long time and its transplantation should be completed within 24 hours, because if there is a longer delay, the chances of survival of the plant would reduce.

Preparation of the field before planting is also necessary

Good preparation of the main field is considered very important for successful paddy cultivation. After plowing the field two to three times, puddling should be done by filling it with water. This flattens the soil and increases its water holding capacity, due to which the newly planted sapling continues to get adequate moisture in the initial days. During transplantation, instead of planting plants close together, a certain distance should be followed. It is considered appropriate to keep the distance from line to line at about 20 cm and the distance from plant to plant at about 15 cm. After planting two to three healthy plants at one place, shoots emerge well and the crop grows better.

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Take care of water and nutrition in the initial days

After transplantation, it is necessary to maintain about two to three inches of water in the field for the first week. This helps the new roots to hold the soil and also protects the plants from the effects of heat and strong sunlight. During this period, the correct amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash should be used on the basis of soil test. If there is zinc deficiency in the field then use of zinc sulphate is also considered beneficial. This improves the growth of the plants and keeps them safe from many problems.

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Azolla Farming: The increasing cost of paddy cultivation is becoming a big problem for the farmers. Especially the increasing expenditure on urea and other fertilizers also affects the pockets of farmers. In such a situation, agricultural scientists advise farmers to use Azolla. According to experts, Azolla is a natural organic fertilizer which along with providing essential nutrients to the paddy crop, also helps in improving the health of the soil. In such a situation, let us now tell you why Azolla is left in the field after planting paddy and how it reduces the cost of farming and how the health of the soil will improve.

What is Azolla?

Azolla is a small water-growing plant, which spreads rapidly on the surface of water. Its biggest specialty is that it absorbs the nitrogen present in the atmosphere and converts it into useful form through that crop. For this reason it is considered organic fertilizer.

How is it used in paddy field?

According to experts, Azolla is sown in the field about 15 to 20 days after transplantation of paddy. When there is sufficient water in the field, Azolla starts spreading on the surface of the water. It grows slowly and releases many nutrients including nitrogen into the soil. When Azolla grows, it acts like green manure and increases the amount of organic matter in the soil.

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How is the cost of farming reduced?

Paddy cultivation requires a large amount of nitrogen for good growth, which farmers usually fulfill through urea. Azolla provides nitrogen naturally, which can reduce the need for urea and other chemical fertilizers by 25 to 30 percent. This reduces the expenditure on fertilizers and makes farming more profitable. Apart from this, continuous use of chemical fertilizers can affect the quality of soil. Azolla helps in increasing organic carbon and nutrients in the soil. This improves the fertility of the soil and maintains production capacity for a long time.

Useful in weed problem and also in animal husbandry.

Azolla covers the entire surface of the water. Due to this, sunlight is not able to reach the bottom and the growth of weeds is reduced. As a result, farmers have to spend less on weeding and labor costs also reduce. 20 to 30 percent protein is found in Azolla. This is the reason why it is also used as nutritious fodder for animals. Many farmers are earning extra profit by using it in paddy cultivation as well as animal husbandry.

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