SEC | S20W2 : "How to Cultivate a Paddy"

Hello friends I'm glad to share my thoughts in this great contest once again in this community for the SEC: S20/W2 I would be answering the required questions immediately.

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"What is the method of rice seedbed preparation and what steps are taken in preparing the soil for rice cultivation"

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Rice production is really important as it is a globally acceptable food, embraced by the world populace. I would be sharing my thoughts on methods of rice seedbed preparation.

Methods of rice seedbed preparation

Irrigation & Water Supply

In preparation of rice seedbed basically in Nigeria, there must be access to good water supply. The rice thrives well in water therefore in Sahel or Sahara regions a good irrigation system is put in place to ensure water supply, in the Tropical Rain Forest, good water supply during the rainy season is quite expedient.

Soil Topology

The soil topology is important. The nature of the soil is a great factor in making sure the rice seed have high success rates. A soil with sandy texture would definitely have a bad growth or a soil with mud and impurities would affect it negatively. The best soil is a soil with clay components and which could definitely retain water it's best for the rice cultivation.

Sunlight & Warm Temperature

The sunlight has been established to be best for photosynthesis. The sunlight and warm temperature in this regard cushions the rice seedbed providing them with an enabling environment to thrive properly too. The spring weather can be likened to the best weather conditions suitable for the rice production.

Steps taken in soil preparation for rice cultivation

• A soil with clay texture and little organic matters would be suitable for rice to do well. Rice is receptive to great clay content and less organic loan, thus soil type consideration is a vital step in soil preparation.

• Dampened soil in water is indeed a prerequisite. Water is the life wire in the soil surface and proper irrigation or water supply is needed in getting a desired soil texture.

• There must be proper soil aeration loosen the earth, ploughing is a proper approach to get the desired soil and let the crop root get into the soil properly digging and loosing the soil to prepares the moist soil properly.

• Proper leveling of the soil after aeration process should be done and find measuring with artificial fertilizers or proper natural manure. Emphasis must be leveled on nitrogen content properly incorporated into the soil for proper growth of the rice plantation.

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"What is the importance of planting rice seed at the right time"

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The spring time is the best time for planting rice and I would share the importance of planting rice at the right time.

sourcetiming is crucial in rice cultivation

Prevention of Loss of Capital: Planting rice at the wrong time, threaten the capital invested in the business, therefore planting it at the right the saves cost and provides profits to the farmer

Proper rice growth: If the rice is planted at the right time, it grows faster with lesser threat to crop death, this proper profit can be achieved in a limited time if planted at the right time.

Profit Maximization: Every farmer loves profit, thus planting rice on time would definitely provide profit to the farmer and generate wealth for the farmer and food to the nation.

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"How is regular Irrigation and fertilizer applied after sowing rice seeds?"

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Rice is grown for about 3 to 5 months on a natura basis, thus during this period there must be proper preparation of the soil to get proper crop productivity. The soil preparation occurs first which includes the clearing, weeding, irrigation, ploughing and fertilizing which is proper methods. The rice plant must be planted 4 months after fertilizing the soil. Note that the soil must be properly treated before planting the rice.

Importantly, fertilizers like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus should be added to the soil during fertilizing. These special mineral compounds aids stabilize the soil with nutritional properties that make the rice successful pre-harvest. Potash should be applied in the soil about a month after planting proper to reduce the algae content in the soil to that would disturb the crop. Rice requires nitrogen therefore urea fertilizer is important for the rice production as it contains high nitrogen. It is really a prerequisite fertilizer in growing rice.

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"What are the major pest and diseases of rice crops and how can they be controlled"

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The brown spot fungal disease which occurs in the field of poor management due to humidity affects the rice crops and affect the crop too. There is also yellowing stunt in roots of plants which could also affect the plants too. Poor choice also affect the plants too. Poor choice of seeds too causes failed germination, death and reduces quality of rice post-harvest.

sourcerice treatment against pest is important!

Control of Rice against Pest and Diseases

Proper sorting of the rice seed post harvesting to avoid infecting viable rice
products due to infections. Proper drying post harvesting to clear all forms of filthiness. Important fungicides administration on the crops amidst planting in a warm area as shared above.

Crop rotation and Shifting cultivation could be a great control as change in crops on same piece of land would destroy most of these pests. This is an ideal control mechanism in rice. Planting various crops and leaving the piece of land overtime before planting again would be a lifeline to success in the paddy cultivation.

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"What are the next steps after harvesting the paddy and what are steps to be taken to preserve the paddy"

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After harvesting the paddy, it is important to cool the harvested product overtime, I deed it improves the shelf life of the produced rice emphatically. Sorting and winnowing these rice product according to their grade is also something never to be overlooked, these processes makes the rice product to have durability and reduce risk of pest lurking around the crop. Winnowing removed the chaff and polishes the rice for storage. The winnowing is indeed a principal post harvest technique.

The milling of the rice is a step never to be overlooked as it is the maor step in producing the perfect texture of the rice proper for the farmer too. Proper packaging cannot be over emphasised as it is crucial to protect integrity of the product. Precooling of the rice products after harvesting makes the rice look more healthy and attractive to the market even after a long shelf-life. Storing in a proper temperature and adequate humidity is important to give off good rice products suitable for the populace.

Cc;
@mainuna
@xkool24

I invite @dove11 @goodybest @josepha @lirvic to join challenge