Paddy crop or rice is a major staple food for a significant part of the world’s population. However, fungal attacks remain a significant challenge in the cultivation of this crop. Fungal diseases that affect paddy crops include blast, sheath blight, and brown spot. The good news is that there are effective strategies that you can employ to control fungal attacks in paddy crops.
Here are some of the guidelines that you can follow to control fungal attacks in paddy crops:
1. Crop rotation
Crop rotation is a farming strategy that involves changing the type of crops grown in a specific field. This approach is useful in reducing the build-up of fungal pathogens that affect paddy crops. When you rotate your crops, you break the cycle of fungal infection. This means that the fungi do not have time to reproduce and attack your crop.
2. Fungicide application
Fungicides are chemical compounds that are used to control fungal infections. A preventive fungicide program helps in controlling the fungal diseases that affect paddy crops. This means that you need to apply fungicides before the disease spreads.
3. Proper water management
Paddy crops require a lot of water to grow. However, over-watering the crops can favor the development of fungus. It is crucial to ensure that the fields have proper drainage. When there is water stagnation, fungi thrive. On the other hand, a dry field can stress the plants and create more entry points for fungal infections. Therefore, it is necessary to get the water management balance right.
4. Soil management
Soil management can also help control fungal attacks in your paddy crops. Soil preparation should happen well before planting. Rototilling or plowing new fields, along with proper weed removal, means that you get rid of the fungus harboring in the soil. A fertilization plan that has nutrition designed to aid a plant’s ability to fight off fungus helps to create a healthy environment.
5. Selection of seeds
When planting paddy crops, select seeds that are resistant to fungi. Seed quality is particularly important when you need to avoid the spread of disease. It ensures that your plants are healthy and resistant from the beginning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, controlling fungal attacks in paddy crops can be challenging, but it is achievable. Employing the above strategies can help in controlling fungal attacks effectively. Proper fungicide application, crop rotation, soil management, seed selection, and water management are all important preventive measures that can be taken to ensure that your harvest is fungal-free. Following these strategies will ensure that your paddy crop stays healthy and productive throughout the season.