Fertilizer Doses in Paddy Crop
Paddy crop is an essential crop for the agricultural industry, providing a significant amount of food for human consumption. However, to get a bumper crop, it’s essential to give the crop the right amount of fertilizer at the right stage of growth. The primary nutrients that paddy crop requires are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and many secondary nutrients and micronutrients.
Fertilizer doses in paddy crop depend on the soil fertility, climate, the variety of the paddy crop, and expected yield. Farmers should test their soil to know the right amount of fertilizer and amendments required for optimized production. Here’s an overview of the typical fertilizer doses in paddy crop depending on its growth stages;
Pre-Planting Stage
Before planting, farmers should add organic matter such as farmyard manure or compost to the soil to improve soil structure and increase the soil organic matter content. Application of 10-15 tons of farmyard manure or compost per hectare is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of the crops. It also enhances soil fertility, which positively affects the crop’s health and reduces soil-borne pathogens.
During Planting Stage
At planting, farmers should use a compound fertilizer such as 18:18:18 or 20:20:10 to support paddy crops during the critical stages of their development. The fertilizer enhances root development and seedling growth, giving the crop a good start. Farmers should apply 50-60 kg of DAP per hectare, 25-30 kg of potash and 50-60 kg of urea per hectare in a 2:1:1 ratio at planting time.
Before Panicle Initiation Stage
This stage is crucial for paddy crops as it determines the number of tillers and their panicle growth. Nitrogen plays a significant role in vegetative growth, while phosphorus stimulates root and tiller growth, and potassium promotes disease resistance and drought tolerance. Therefore, farmers should apply 70-80 kg of urea, 40-50 kg of DAP, and 25-30 kg of potash per hectare during this stage.
Panicle Initiation Stage
During this stage, paddy crops become more sensitive to nitrogen, which increases fertility, panicle length, and grain size. Meanwhile, phosphorous and potassium continue to support the crop’s growth and resistance to adverse weather conditions. Farmers should, therefore, apply 100 kg of urea, 60 kg of DAP, and 45 kg of potash for every hectare of the paddy crop.
Flowering Stage
At this stage, paddy crops require high amounts of potassium, which stimulates grain formation, improves quality, and enhances the crop’s resistance to pests and diseases. To provide the necessary nutrients, farmers should apply 100 kg of urea, 60 kg of DAP, and 75 kg of potash per hectare.
Maturity Stage
During this stage, the paddy crop’s metabolic activities slow down, and the crop reaches its full maturity. Farmers should apply 50-60 kg of urea per hectare during the crop’s filling period to enhance the grain’s quality, size and to promote grain filling.
In conclusion, fertilizing the paddy crop based on its growth stage is crucial to achieve a high-quality and high-yielding crop. Farmers should consult with agricultural experts or extension workers to determine the right fertilizer doses for their paddy crop, depending on various factors such as soil fertility and weather conditions. Moreover, they should ensure that they apply the appropriate amounts of fertilizers and follow the recommended application procedures to minimize environmental pollution and soil degradation.