1: Nitrogen optimization in Rice

Nitrogen in the plant is a very important subject. Nitrogen plays an important part in many essential functions and compounds necessary for plant life and growth. Nitrogen may be found in various parts of the plant in different forms. There is nitrogen in the leaves, grain, plant tissue and roots of plants. Nitrogen may function as part of the plant structure or be involved in the life processes.

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• 100kg of fertilizer, estimates plant uptake is 80, N balance = +20 

• Target +30kg balance which provides a safe buffer; farmer unlikely to see yield reduction

• There is opportunity to reduce N fertilizer by 20 kg per hectare without impacting the yield

2: Usage and utility of leaf color chart

What is a Leaf Color Chart?

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LCC is a guide for application of fertilizer N to maintain an optimal leaf N content. It helps farmers to apply optimum amount of Nitrogen fertilizers, resulting in lesser wastage, lesser input cost with sustainable yield of paddy. 

3: Early transplantation of paddy

Introduction:

Rice crops can be either direct seeded or transplanted. In direct seeding, seeds are sown directly in the field. While in transplanting, seedlings are first raised in seedbeds before they are planted in the field.

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• The ideal transplanting date for paddy is between June 15 to July 15 to get the optimum yield possible

• Proper and timely nursery is important for timely transplantation of paddy

• Nursery timing: 2 weeks prior to the planned date of transplantation

• The delayed nursery transplanted seedlings produce low and weak tillering reducing final yield.

4: Nursery raising

Why Nursery is important?

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