As one of the most important crops in agriculture, paddy or rice is widely grown all over the world. To obtain the best yield from this crop, farmers must apply the correct amount of fertilizer at the right time. The right dose is one of the key factors that can ensure the growth and health of paddy plants.
Fertilizer Application Timing for Paddy Crop
The first application of the fertilizer should be applied to the soil as a basal dose during land preparation. It is ideally done around 15 days prior to sowing the seeds. For example, if a farmer is cultivating paddy in a 2-hectare field, the basal dose of manure should typically read at 5-6 tons of farmyard manure (FYM) and around 50-60 kg of NPK fertilizer (18:46:0 or 20:20:0).
The second dose of fertilizer is given to seedlings after 20 to 25 days of transplantation. This dosage is only for Nitrogen, typically around 50 kg (Urea). This is also calIed top-dressing time and the farmer applies fertilizer close to the base of the plant.
The third dose is applied at 40-45 days after transplantation when the paddy crop establishes its roots. This dose requires another 50 kg of Nitrogen among the three primary nutrients then before NPK is given to the field as per crop-growth and soil fertility.
Adjusting the Dose of Fertilizer in Paddy Crop
The increase or decrease in fertilizer dosage depends on soil fertility and paddy crop growth. If the soil already has a high nutrient content, fertilizer application must be handled carefully as the plant can be stunted otherwise. However, if the soil lacks nutrients, farmers can increase the dose of fertilizer, which will enable better crop growth and yield.
Conclusion
Farmers must strike the right balance in determining the quantity of fertilizer for their paddy crops based on soil-fertility, crop-growth and climate changes. Paddy plants require a specific dose of fertilizer during their plantation stages. Proper management is key to ensuring a healthy and productive paddy crop.