Crop Production
Technology of
Rice
PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION IN SINDH
In support of the Accelerated Action Plan, Government of Sindh
PINS is funded by the European Union
Introduction
In Pakistan, rice is the second most important food as well as a cash crop. In
Sindh, the potential yield of recommended rice varieties is comparatively
higher than the average yield obtained by small farmers. Those who cultivate
using the latest rice production technology achieve higher yields than
average.
Causes of Low Yields
• Less number of plants per unit area
• Scarcity of labor during rice transplantation period
• Careless transplanting by hired labor
• Transplanting of aged rice nursery
• Disproportionate use of inputs at improper time (for instance, fertilizer)
• Climate change (drought & floods)
Important Rice Producing Districts in Sindh
• Thatta
• Badin • Qamber Shahdadkot
• Tando Muhammad Khan • Shikarpur
• Dadu • Jacobabad
• Larkana • Kashmore
Seed Selection and Treatment
Use healthy and undamaged seeds. Put the seed in a solution of 2.5% salt
made by dissolving 25g of common salt in 1 liter of water. Discard any seeds
that float. Wash the seeds in clean water and dry in a shady area. To protect the
plant from leaf blast and other diseases, the seeds should be soaked with 2.5
gm of a suitable fungicide in one litre of water for 24 hours to combat
seed-borne diseases. For seed-dressing, use 2.5g of chemical fungicide for
every kilogram of seed. Seeds can be treated in a rotating drum or putting the
seed in a container and shaking it well after adding the chemical.
Sources of Good Quality Seed
Good quality seed is a must for high productivity. It should possess the
following characteristics:
• Varietal purity
• High germination capacity and vigor
• Uniform sized healthy seed
• Free from weed seeds, diseases and other inert material
Farmers can get certified rice seed from the following sources:
• Punjab and Sindh Seed Corporations
• Rice Research Institute (RRI), Kaka Shah Kaku,
• Rice Research Institute (RRI), Dokri, Larkana
• Private seed companies
• Farmer can use their own good quality seed
Seed Rate
Seed Rate for Nurseries (Kg/Acre)
Rice Varieties Wet method Dry method Raab method Germination
DR-82, DR 83, DR-92,
KSK 133, KS 282, KSK 6-7 8 - 10 12 - 15 Above 80 %
434, IR6, IR9
Time of Nursery Sowing and Transplanting
Sowing & Transplanting Time of Nursery
Rice Varieties Sowing Time Transplanting Time
KSK 133, KS 282, KSK 434,
20th May to 7th June 20th June to 7th July
IR6, IR9
According to the Pest Control Act, a rice nursery cannot be sown before
May 20. This needs to be strictly implemented.
Soil
Rice can be grown in any type of soil except sandy soil. Clay loam soil with an
optimum quantity of organic matter and more water holding capacity is the
best for rice cultivation.
Improve Rice Soil Health
Rice soils have been exhausted by continuous cultivation of rice and wheat
and have become deficient in organic matter. To improve the physical health
of soil, green manuring (guara or cowpeas) or the inclusion of legumes in
between rice and wheat crops is a must. Similarly, the incorporation of
rice\and wheat straw (instead of burning) in soil can also help in increasing
the organic matter of the soil. The incorporation of farmyard manures (cow
and buffalo dungs and poultry feces) into the soil also helps improve soil
health by increasing the organic matter in the soil.
Nursery Raising
For transplanting one acre of land by conventional practice, a nursery area of
250 square metre is sufficient. For rice cultivation there are different methods
of raising nursery, depending on water availability, soil characteristics and
traditional farming practices of an area. Wet, Dry and Raab methods are
generally used for nursery raising.
Wet Method
The soil with water standing ability (clay – clay loam) is suitable for wet
nursery. Start by preparing the seedbed 2 weeks before when you plan to
plant. The nursery should be thoroughly ploughed and perfectly leveled so
that a thin layer of water is maintained during the emergence. After the
manuring and puddling, sprouted seeds are uniformly broadcasted in each
seed bed. To sprout seed treated through seed-dressing, keep it in wet gunny
bags for up to 48 hours. Water the seedbed 2-3 days after sowing. Maintain a
water level of 2-5 cm, depending on the height of the seedlings. Irrigate in the
morning and drain in the evening for a week. Apply 20-40gm of urea or DAP
per metre square at 10 DAS, if needed. Seedlings are ready for transplanting
in 25 - 35 days.
Dry Method
A raised seed bed is prepared under dry conditions. In areas with high rainfall,
ensure that the seed bed is at least 10cm in height. Treated dry seeds should
be evenly broadcasted in each bed after manuring. Water the seedbed till
saturation after sowing. Then, water the plots periodically as seedlings
emerge and grow. This method is practiced in areas where soils are loamy or
silt loam and puddling is not possible. This method needs weed control. The
nursery will be ready in 35 - 40 days and uprooting it is easy.
Raab Method
This is practiced in areas where the soil is hard and uprooting the nursery is
not possible. Plough and plank the dry field to get a fine shape. A 2-inch deep
layer of farmyard manure, wheat or rice straw is first spread uniformly over the
plot and burnt out. Then, the next day, dry treated seed is broadcasted over it,
which is followed by irrigation. The nursery is ready in 35 - 40 days. The
method leads to less weeds, easy uprooting and soil sterilization, resulting in
reduced diseases.
Land preparation (Main Field)
The crop and weed residues should be chopped and mixed with the soil at the
time of the first ploughing.
For transplanting
Prepare the land properly and uniformly leveled with peripheral earthen
dykes. Puddling may be done 2 - 3 times to make it weed-free and water-re-
tentive. Use 25 - 30 day-old seedlings. Avoid the use of very young seedlings.
Direct dry seeding of rice-cultivation system/for furrow and raised bed
(FRB)
This is a suitable substitute to manual seedling transplanting. Direct dry
seeding of rice is a new rice cultivation method in which rice is seeded directly
into moist wattar soil conditions like winter wheat by using a seed drill. Any
approved rice variety can be used for this system. After harvesting the wheat
crop, conduct a single deep cultivation of the field. Then, at the time of sowing
of the rice, first irrigate the field (called Rouni irrigation) just a few days before
sowing the crop. When field is in wattar condition (optimum soil moisture
level), prepare the fine seedbed by applying 1-2 shallow cultivations, either
with a tractor or bullocks followed by light planking. A raised bed of 70 cm
width is alternated with a furrow of 30 cm width. Then use a Rabi drill to seed
the crop in a well-prepared and leveled field at optimum soil moisture condi-
tions. Broadcasting of the seeds is not recommended. Farmers must always
use a drill for sowing the rice crop to get optimum crop germination and
achieve the desired stand establishment of the crop. This system encourages
crop diversification and conserves resources like water and seed.
Transplanting Critical Factors
• Proper nursery management
• Careful handling of young seedlings for fast revival and early growth after
transplanting
• Shallow transplanting at 1-2 cm depth
• Optimum plant-to-plant spacing: 25x25 cm or 9x9 inches
• Optimum number of seedlings: 1-2 hill
• Transplantations of seedlings in a levelled field and the depth of water will
be 1-1.5 inches
• Avoid old age seedlings for transplantations
• Use only 30 to 40 days old seedlings
Plant Population
The optimum plant population is very important to get a good yield. To estab-
lish the optimum plant population, the distance between plants and rows
should be kept at 9 inches. Gaps should be filled within 7-10 days after
transplanting.
Fertilizer and Micro Nutrients
Most soils provide only a limited amount of nutrients to the crop. Therefore,
fertilizers need to be applied to increase grain yield. Always use fertilizer on
the basis of soil analysis. Use a recommended dose of fertilizer should be used.
Full doses of phosphate fertilizer and half a dose of potassium and nitrogen
should be applied with the last ploughing, the remaining half dose of
nitrogen and potash is top dressed at 30-35 days after transplanting. Inorgan-
ic fertilizers must be stored in a dry and cool place that is out of children’s
reach.
The use of potassium is highly essential where tube well is the only/main
source of irrigation. With established crops, apply chemical fertilizer only in
standing water and evenly across the whole field. Do not apply high rates of
fertilizer for traditional varieties as they may have limited response and this
may cause lodging.
• The deficiency of zinc appears in all the rice varieties. Therefore, it is impera-
tive to apply zinc to get a good yield. Application of zinc sulphate (35% Zn)
at 5 kg per acre at 10-12 days after transplanting is recommended
• The deficiency of boron results in white and rolled tips of emerging leaves.
Therefore, it is imperative to apply boron to get a good yield. Application of
3 kg borax per acre at 10-12 days after transplanting improves paddy yield
Weed Management
Weeds compete directly with the rice plants and reduce rice yield. Each 1 kg
dry matter of weeds is equivalent to 1 kg grain loss. Weeds cause most yield
loss within the first 20–50 days after crop establishment. Weeding after
panicle initiation may also be important to prevent weed shedding seeds in
future crops.
• Rice weeds reduce yield by 15-20% normally, but in some cases, losses may
go as high as 50%
• Weeds in rice are highly competitive as they have continuous germination
and higher densities
• Weeds cause serious problems in nursery raising especially when seeds are
dry sown
Effective weed management can be done by:
• Plowing and harrowing in fallow should be undertaken at least 10–14 days
apart or after rain
• Good land leveling reduces weed growth because most weeds have trouble
germinating under water
• Select varieties which have early vigor
• Use clean rice seed which is free of weed seeds
• Irrigate the crop early — weeds cannot germinate under water
• The first round of weeding begins within 2–3 weeks after establishment and
the second in another 3-4 weeks. Weeding must be done before the fertiliz-
er application and hoeing should follow each weeding
• Use the herbicide specific to the weed type
• Spray weedicide/herbicide when the weeds are small
• Apply pre-emergence herbicides after planting, prior to establishment
• Apply post-emergence herbicides after emergence, being careful of crop
damage
• Herbicides are poisonous; if they are not used properly, they can cause
health and environment problems. Label them clearly and keep them out of
children’s reach.
• Spray weedicide/herbicide when the weeds are small
• Apply pre-emergence herbicides after planting, prior to establishment
• Apply post-emergence herbicides after emergence, being careful of crop
damage
• Herbicides are poisonous; if they are not used properly, they can cause
health and environment problems. Label them clearly and keep them out of
children’s reach.
Water Management
Good water control increases crop yields and grain quality as well as
improving the efficiency of other inputs such as fertilizer, herbicide, and
pesticides. To maximize water-use efficiency, do the following:
• Maintain the bunds
• Level the fields and puddle the fields where possible
• The water depth at the time of transplanting and one week later should be
kept low (1-1½ inch). It should be gradually increased to about 2 inch for a
period of 25 days.
• About 25-30 days after transplanting, the field should be allowed to dry for
5-6 days and then re-irrigated after the application of fertilizer
• After that, continue irrigation at saturated conditions but keep water stand-
ing for 5-6 days at the time of granular insecticide application
• Watering should be stopped after grain formation to allow the crop and
field to sufficiently dry for harvesting.
Salinity Susceptibility
The rice plant is susceptible to salinity, especially at the seedling stage and
during the panicle development stage from panicle initiation to booting.
Symptoms of salt toxicity include firing of leaves and reduced dry matter
production. The effects of high salinity during panicle development are less
obvious as there is little leaf effect, but florets and grain numbers per panicle
are reduced greatly which in turn reduces yield.
Plant Protection Measures
Farmers lose an estimated average of 37% of their rice crop to pests and
diseases every year. In addition to good crop management, timely and
accurate diagnosis can significantly reduce losses. The best control for pests
and disease problems is prevention. To limit pest and disease incidences in a
rice crop, the following recommendations can be followed:
• Clean equipment at regular intervals
• Clean the field between seasons by managing stubbles and ratoons and by
maintaining and repairing bunds
• Use clean seeds and resistant varieties. Certified seed are recommended. If
certified seed is not available, use clean seed that have no discolored seeds,
weed seeds or other rice varieties mixed in
• Use short-duration and resistant cultivars to decrease insect and pest
populations
• Timely seed sowing in nurseries and transplanting in the field
• Plant as the same time as your neighbors (or within a 2-week window) to
minimize insect, disease, bird, and rat pressure on individual fields
• Do not apply fertilizer in excessive quantities. Using the recommended
fertilizer dose is important because high nitrogen can increase susceptibili-
ty to certain pests and diseases
• The overuse of pesticide is common among farmers and can kill natural
enemies of pest that can also lead to pest outbreaks
• Do not apply pesticide within 40 days of planting
• Crop rotations also reduces insect pest and disease problems substantially
Rice crops can recover from early damage without affecting yield. Get
appropriate information on specific diseases that require early management.
When deciding to use a chemical for pest and disease control, it is important
to
• Use well-maintained spray equipment that has been properly calibrated
• Apply the dosage recommended by the manufacturer
• Follow the safety precautions for mixing and spray applications
Harvesting
Harvesting the crop on time is very important to maximize yields and grain
quality. Crops harvested too early will have many unfilled and immature
grains. Immature grains break easily when milled and will not germinate
when used for seed. If crops are harvested late, heavy losses will occur
through shattering and bird attacks. Quality will also decrease due to grain
weathering, resulting in breakage and downgrading due to undesirable grain
color. Harvesting should be done when 80% grains are matured and crop will
be at the yellow ripening stage.
Crops should be harvested when
• Grain moisture is between 20–22%, which is normally about 30 days after
flowering
• 80–85% of the grains are straw colored
• 30 days after flowering
Rice crop harvesting process includes
• Cutting: cutting the panicles and straw
• Hauling: moving the cut crop to the threshing location
• Threshing: separating the paddy grain from the rest of the cut crop
• Cleaning: removing immature, unfilled and non-grain materials
• Field drying: (optional) leaving the cut crop in the field and exposing it to
the sun for drying
• Stacking/Piling: (optional) temporarily storing the harvested crop in stacks
or piles
Losses During Cutting
• Shattering loss: premature shedding of mature grains from the panicle
caused by birds, wind, rats, and handling operations. Certain rice varieties
shatter more easily than others
• Lodging loss: plants with mature grains in the panicles fall on the ground
making the grains difficult to recover.
• Standing crop loss: standing plants with mature grains are left standing in
the field after harvesting operations as a result of oversight, carelessness or
haste.
Losses During Threshing
• Separation loss or blower loss: mature grains that are mixed with straw or
chaff during the cleaning operation.
• Scatter loss: mature grains that are scattered on the ground during the
threshing and cleaning operation
• Threshing loss: mature grains that remain attached to the panicle in the
straw after completion of the threshing operation. High threshing
efficiency will lead to low threshing loss and vice versa
Recommendations for Optimizing Quality
• Harvest at the right time and moisture content
• Best results can be obtained only if crop is harvested in the morning and
threshed in the afternoon on the same day
• Avoid stacking the cut crop in the field (Minimizing the time the cut panicles
remain in large bundles in the field)
• Ensuring the panicles do not touch the ground or lay in water
• Avoid delays in threshing after harvesting (thresh within 24 hours of
cutting)
• Use the proper machine settings when using a threshing machine
• Clean the grain properly after threshing
• Drying the grains as soon as possible after threshing
• Avoid delays in drying after threshing
• Sun drying on tarpaulins or clean drying pads
• Turning or stirring the grains at least once every hour when sun drying to
achieve uniform drying
• Keeping the thickness of the grain layer at 3–5 cm
Winnowing and Cleaning
• Winnowing can be done by hand or through mechanical winnowing
• This removed chaff, straw and empty grains
• A combination of fan and oscillating sieves may be used
• To remove lighter materials, air-deliver by fan
• To remove larger straw particles, use top sieves with large holes
• To remove small seeds (e.g. weed seeds), bottom sieves with smaller holes
should be used
Store Safely
Rice is best stored as paddy because the husk provides some protection
against insects and helps prevent grain quality deterioration. A safe storage
system will prevent the grain from getting wet after drying and also give
protection from insects, rodents, and birds.
Rice can be stored for longer periods if
• Moisture content is maintained at less than 14% for grain and 12% for seed
• Grain is protected from insects, rodents, and birds
• Grain is protected from re-wetting by rain or from the surrounding air
• A rule of thumb for seed is that the life of the seed will be halved for every
1% increase in moisture content or a 5°C increase in storage temperature
above recommended levels.
Rice storage systems Bag storage system
• Bags should not be stacked higher than 4 meters
• Bags should be stacked under a roof, in a shed or under water-proof
tarpaulins
• A one-meter gap should be left between and around stacks
• Bags should be stacked on pallets or above ground
• Bags should be stacked so that fumigation can be undertaken if necessary
Hermetic or sealed storage
Sealed or hermetic storage systems are an effective means of controlling grain
moisture content and insect activity for seed or grain stored in tropical
regions. Sealed storage containers come in all shapes and sizes ranging from
50 kg super bags, small 25-liter plastic containers, and 200-liter oil drums to
costly sealed large plastic commercial storage units of 1–300 tons.
Seed Productions
Farmers can produce the seed of approved rice varieties at their own farms to
meet their needs. Farmers must follow the given instructions:
• Selection of field: Select a field of farm which is free from soil-borne
diseases
• Isolation: For seed purpose, different varieties should not be grown
adjacent to each other to avoid out crossing. Isolation in time may be a
possibility. Otherwise, suitable space isolation could be used effectively
• Protection from insect pests, diseases and weeds: Crop must be fully
protected through cultural practices and pesticide use
• Rouging: Removal of undesired plants from seed crop is necessary for seed
purification. Best rouging time is when the crop is in full flowering stage
• Harvesting and threshing: Normally the appropriate harvesting time
ranges from 30-35 days after flowering when 85-95% panicle becomes
straw colored. Keep the harvested crop 2-3 days for drying before threshing.
Do not harvest seed crop with combine harvesters to avoid admixture. The
threshing floor should be kept clean during harvesting and threshing
operations. After drying and cleaning, seed should be packed in bags,
labeled and stored properly.
Domestic Prices of Rice Paddy
• The wholesale market price of rice paddy is between Rs. 1876/40 kg to Rs.
1950/40 kg and the seasonal price ranges from Rs. 1480/40kg to
Rs.1700/40kg
• The wholesale market price of IRRI-6 is in the range Rs. 920 to Rs.1150/40kg
The following was prepared by Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) with technical
support from Action Against Hunger (ACF) for Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh
(PINS) which is being implemented in support of the Accelerated Action Plan, Government
of Sindh. PINS is funded by the European Union.
'This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the
sole responsibility of Rural Support Programmes Network (RPSN) and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the European Union'
More information about European Union is available on:
Web: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/pakistan/
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Facebook: European-Union-in-Pakistan
Find out more about Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh on:
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