Paddy or rice is one of the most important crops grown in many parts of the world. The yields and quality of the rice crop are affected by various factors, such as soil fertility, nutrient availability, water management, and pest control. One of the important practices that can help in improving the soil fertility and nutrient availability is top dressing.
Top dressing is the process of applying fertilizers or organic manures on the soil surface to supplement the nutrient requirements of the crop during the growing season. In the case of paddy, top dressing is usually done after the crop has completed 30-35 days of growth and has established a good root system.
One of the popular top dressing methods for paddy is using MN mixture and sand. MN mixture is a fertilizer formulation that contains micronutrients such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, along with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is usually available in a powdered form and can be mixed with sand to facilitate even distribution on the soil surface.
To prepare the top dressing mixture, 5 kg of MN mixture is mixed with 40 kg of sand. This mixture is then spread uniformly on the soil surface, covering the entire field.
After 10 days of applying the MN mixture and sand, another round of top dressing is done using urea, SSP, and neem cake. Urea is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, while SSP is a source of phosphorus and sulfur. Neem cake is an organic fertilizer that contains essential plant nutrients and also has pesticidal properties.
The recommended dosage of these fertilizers for paddy is 25 kg of urea, 15 kg of SSP, and 5 kg of neem cake per acre. These fertilizers are mixed together and applied evenly on the soil surface, followed by irrigation to facilitate nutrient uptake by the crop.
The benefits of using this top dressing method for paddy are numerous. MN mixture provides essential micronutrients that are often deficient in the soil, while sand helps in uniform distribution of the fertilizer mixture. Urea and SSP provide the essential macronutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which are important for the growth and development of the crop. Neem cake, on the other hand, helps in improving soil fertility and also acts as a natural pesticide, reducing the incidence of pests and diseases.
In conclusion, top dressing using MN mixture and sand followed by urea, SSP, and neem cake is an effective method for improving the fertility and nutrient availability of the soil for paddy crop. This method not only helps in increasing the yield and quality of the crop but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices.