As a widely cultivated crop, paddy (rice) requires proper fertilization to ensure maximum yield. Fertilizer doses for paddy crop vary across different stages of growth, soil type, and climate conditions. Therefore, it is essential to provide the right nutrients in adequate amounts at the correct time to ensure that the paddy crop thrives.
To understand how fertilizer doses are applied in paddy crop farming, it is crucial to recognize the primary nutrients that the rice plant needs to grow. These nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition, the plant also requires micronutrients such as zinc, iron, sulfur, and copper.
The initial application of fertilizers in paddy cultivation is typically done during land preparation, where the required doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are applied. The application of nitrogen is most crucial, given its primary role in promoting vegetative growth. It is recommended that the initial nitrogen application quantities be between 30 and 50 kg per hectare.
Once the paddy crop has reached the tillering stage, further doses of nitrogen are applied. The nitrogen application should range between 25 and 50 kg per hectare, with most farmers applying around 30 kg per hectare. During this stage, farmers should also reduce phosphorus and potassium application amounts to around 30 kg per hectare.
As the paddy crop reaches the panicle initiation stage, the nitrogen application should be reduced to 15 to 25 kg per hectare. This reduction in nitrogen application is to promote the development of the reproductive organs. Additionally, farmers should increase the potassium application amount to 60 kg per hectare. Phosphorus quantity, meanwhile, should remain at 30 kg per hectare.
During the grain filling stage, nitrogen should only be applied if the plant leaves are turning yellow. Nitrogen application during this stage should range from 15 to 30kg per hectare, with 20 kg per hectare being the average recommended amount. At this stage, farmers should apply some micronutrients, such as zinc and iron, to ensure that the paddy crop’s grain is of high quality.
In summary, paddy crops require different fertilizer doses at different growth stages to achieve good yield. Farmers need to keep a record of soil nutrient levels and track their crops’ growth to determine the appropriate fertilizer doses to apply. With proper fertilization, farmers can achieve good quality paddy crops that are resistant to common pests and diseases.