Expert Advisory Details

PAU Experts' advice on paddy crop for August month

To the rice crop, irrigation should be given two days after the ponded water has infiltrated into the soil but fields should not be allowed to develop cracks. Last dose of nitrogen (30 kg urea/acre) may be applied if already not given. If urea is to be applied with the help of leaf colour chart, apply 25 kg urea/acre only if 6 leaves out of 10 are lighter than shade no 4 of leaf colour chart. In direct seeded rice (DSR) apply second and third dosage of about 43 kg urea/acre each at 6 and 9 weeks of sowing.

Iron deficiency may appear in sandy soils. The deficient plants show yellowing on younger leaves which ultimately turn white. To correct this malady, 1.0 % ferrous sulphate solution (one kg ferrous sulphate in 100 litres of water per acre) may be sprayed 2-3 times at weekly intervals. Do not apply ferrous sulphate to soil.

In early transplanted crop, drying of leaves due to bacterial leaf blight disease may be noticed. Spray with any chemical will not be helpful to control this disease. Do not pond water in the field. Addition of nitrogen will further increase the disease.

Sheath blight may be noticed during the month of August. The disease can be checked by spraying Amistar Top 325 SC @ 200 ml or Nativo 75 WG @ 80 g or Lustre 37.5 SE @ 320 ml or Folicur/Orius 25 EC @ 200 ml or Bavistin 50 WP @ 200 g or Tilt/Bumper 25 EC or Monceren 250 SC 200 ml in 200 litres of water. Keep the bunds clean by removing weeds.

6. To check false smut spray the crop with Kocide 46 DF @ 500 g in 200 litres of water per acre at boot stage in disease prone areas.