With the heavy monsoon rains of Ashar and Shrabon, transplanted aman seedbeds in many low-lying areas of Jashore have gone under water, and many farmers worry their seedlings will rot. Remember, the risk of serious damage is greater only if seedlings stay under water for more than 3-4 days. But there is no need for fear: with the right steps at the right time, a good yield can still be brought home from these seedlings. Here is some urgent field advice for protecting the seedbed:
1. Arrange to drain the water: As soon as the clouds clear and the sun comes out, arrange to drain water from the field. If the tips of the seedlings are slightly submerged, cut a channel or drain quickly to at least expose the seedling heads. Do not let weeds or debris collect around the seedbed, as this stops air circulation and rots the seedlings.
2. Wash off the mud coating: After rain or flood water recedes, a thin layer of mud or silt settles on the seedlings. If mud remains, the seedlings cannot make food from sunlight and quickly turn yellow and die. So as soon as the water recedes, sprinkle clean water with a bucket or use a sprayer to wash the mud off the seedlings.
3. Do not apply urea right away: Many people hurriedly apply urea to the seedbed as soon as the water recedes — a serious mistake that softens and rots the seedlings further. The correct rule: apply fertiliser 3 to 4 days after the water has fully receded, when the seedlings stand up straight and look somewhat fresh. If the seedlings turn yellow, apply a top dressing of 280 grams of urea and 400 grams of gypsum mixed together per decimal.
4. Spray to prevent disease and pests: Being under water softens the base of the seedlings and invites fungal attack, which we call “seedling rot” or “bakanae disease.” The remedy: as soon as the water dries, mix 2 grams of a carbendazim or mancozeb-group fungicide (such as Noin or Dithane M-45) well per litre of water and spray the whole seedbed. If stem borer or armyworm appears at this time, spray the correct pesticide on the advice of the sub-assistant agriculture officer.
5. Extra care when uprooting seedlings: When uprooting seedlings from wet soil, the base or roots are most likely to tear, so do not uproot them as soon as the water recedes. Uproot them very carefully when the soil is lightly moist and crumbly (what we call “jo”) so the main root stays intact.
Special advice: If for any reason the seedbed is completely ruined, do not lose heart — there is still time. Quickly re-sow late-planting aman varieties such as BR22, BR23, BRRI dhan 46 or Nizershail. Dapog seedbed: if there is no space, make a “dapog seedbed” with mud on bamboo slats or a banana raft; this method gives transplantable seedlings in just 12-15 days. Note: contact our sub-assistant agriculture officers working directly in the field for any need.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report