SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION SEEDBED PREPARATION
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SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION SEEDBED PREPARATION
Methods
The System of Rice Intensification is not a new method or technology. It is just altering the management practices to make more productive phenotype from the same genotype of rice plant. Artificial environment is created for growth and development of rice plant for exploitation of its full genetic potential, land and water resources. let have a brief on how to rise a nusery for puddy s
Raising nursery
(a) Selection of site
In SRI method, utmost care should be taken in the preparation of nursery bed, as 8-12 days old seedlings (2-3 leaf stage) are transplanted. The nursery bed should be preferably prepared in the centre / corner of the plot for quick / efficient transplanting to avoid root disturbance before planting
(b) Size of bed
For one acre transplantation, the nursery bed can be raised in 40 sq meter plot. Depending upon the situation, two beds can be raised each measuring 20 sq meters per 1 kg seed.
A bed with a width of 125 cm or 4 feet is ideal. Length of the bed can be decided by the farmers depending on the ground situation. Accordingly to one’s convenience either a single bed or several small beds (4 beds measuring 4 X 28 feet or 1.25 X 8 m each,)
can be prepared. As the roots of 8-10 days old seedlings grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm), it is necessary to prepare raised beds of 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm). To drain excess water, appropriate channels should be provided on all sides by making drainage cum irrigation channels (0.5-1 feet width). To prevent soil erosion, the bed on all side should be made secure with wooden reapers / planks or paddy straw, etc.
( c ) Bed preparation
Nursery bed is prepared with application of farm yard manures (FYM) and soil in four alternating layers. 1st layer: 1 inch (2.54 cm) thick well decomposed FYM, 2nd layer: 1 .5 inch (3.75 cm) soil, 3rd layer :1 inch (2.54 cm) thick well decomposed FYM, 4th layer: 2.5 inch (6.3 cm) soil. All these layers should be mixed well as it will helps in easy penetration of roots.
(d) Seed Treatment
Healthy and pure seeds are used. Soak the seeds for 12 hours in water. Drain the water and treat the seed with bavistin (2 gm / kg seed) or Trychoderma (3 gm / kg seed) or streptocyclin (1gm / kg of seeds). There after transfer the treated seeds to a water soaked gunny bag. Leave it for 24 hours. Sprouted seeds are taken to the nursery for sowing. To ensure uniform broadcasting, divide the seed into four part and broadcast thinly over the bed (each part at a time). It is better to broadcast seeds in the evening.
(e) Seed rate
2 kg of seeds (5 kg / ha) is required to transplant in one acre of land. Seed should be thinly spread to avoid crowding of seedlings. Care should be taken that no two seeds should touch each other for easy transplanting
(f) Mulching
Cover the bed with paddy straw, to cover from direct exposure to the sun and also to ensure protection from birds. Depending upon requirement, apply water with rose cans twice daily(morning and evening). Care should be taken to see that the seeds do not come out while watering. Remove the straw once seeds germinate.
next article will be on transplanting and field preparation