FAQ

Paddy – System of Rice Intensification

 

1. What are the technologies to be adopted for SRI?

•Raised bed Nursery

•Using younger seedlings (14 days old)

•Square planting (25*25cm)

•Irrigation by alternate wetting and drying (irrigation at hairline crack formation)

•Weeding though Cono weeder

• LCC based N management.

 

2. What are the benefits of SRI?

•Less water requirement

•Reduced cost of cultivation

•High Yield

 

3. Whether SRI is suitable for all Varieties?

Yes, suitable for all the varieties.

 

4. What is the seed rate for SRI?

3 kg per acre

 

5. I would like to know the transplanting technique for SRI?

•One seedling of 14 days old

•Square planting of 25 x 25 cm

•Transplant within 30 minutes of pulling out of seedlings.

 

6. How can I operate Cono weeder?

Moving the Cono weeder with forward and backward motion to bury the weeds and as well to aerate the soil at 10 days interval from 10-15 days after transplanting.

 

7. How to control the thrips attack in paddy Nursery?

•Destroying of host weeds near the nursery area.

•Spraying of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% or neem oil 2% or Chlorpyriphos 20Ec 2m/lit of water.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by Farmers in Paddy Cultivation

1. Which is the best season for paddy cultivation in Tamil Nadu?

Main seasons are:

  • Kuruvai – June to September
  • Samba – August to January
  • Navarai – December to March

2. How much seed is required per acre?

Answer:

  • Transplanted rice: 20–25 kg/acre
  • Direct seeded rice (DSR): 8–12 kg/acre

Use certified seeds for better germination.

3. How to treat paddy seeds before sowing?

Seed treatment helps prevent diseases.

  • Treat with biofertilizers like Azospirillum
  • Use Pseudomonas fluorescence for disease control

4. What is the correct spacing in paddy?

Recommended spacing:

  • 20 × 10 cm or
  • 20 × 15 cm

Proper spacing improves tillering and reduces pest attack.

5. How many seedlings should be planted per hill?

  • Plant 2–3 seedlings per hill

6. When should fertilizers be applied?

Fertilizers are generally applied in:

  1. Basal application
  2. Active tillering stage
  3. Panicle initiation stage

Apply based on soil test recommendation.

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7. What is the best water management practice in paddy?

  • Maintain thin water layer during early stages
  • Avoid continuous deep flooding
  • Practice Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) to save water

8. How to control weeds in paddy?

Methods:

  • Hand weeding
  • Cono weeder
  • Pre-emergence herbicides
  • Timely water management

9. What are the major pests in paddy?

Common pests:

  • Stem borer
  • Leaf folder
  • Brown plant hopper (BPH)
  • Gall midge

10. What diseases commonly affect paddy?

Major diseases:

  • Blast
  • Bacterial leaf blight
  • Sheath blight
  • False smut

11. Why is lodging occurring in paddy?

Reasons:

  • Excess nitrogen fertilizer
  • Dense planting
  • Heavy wind/rain
  • Weak stem varieties

Balanced fertilizer application helps reduce lodging.

12. How to increase tillering in paddy?

  • Proper spacing
  • Timely nitrogen application
  • Good water management
  • Healthy seedlings

13. How to reduce cost of cultivation in paddy?

Answer:

  • Use soil test-based fertilizer application
  • Adopt mechanization
  • Use biofertilizers
  • Practice SRI method
  • Avoid unnecessary pesticide sprays

14. How to improve soil fertility in paddy fields?

  • Apply farmyard manure (FYM)
  • Incorporate green manure
  • Use crop rotation
  • Apply biofertilizers

 

FAQs – Natural farming

  1. What is natural farming?

Natural farming is a method of cultivation that avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides, relying on natural inputs like cow-based products, crop residues and biological processes to improve soil health and crop growth.

  1. How is natural farming different from organic farming?

Organic farming may still use purchased organic inputs (like vermicompost, biofertilizers), while natural farming focuses on low-cost, locally prepared inputs, especially from indigenous cow products and minimal external inputs.

  1. Can I stop chemical fertilizers immediately?

It’s not advisable to stop suddenly. A gradual transition (1–3 years) is better to avoid yield loss and allow soil to recover.

  1. Will yield decrease in natural farming?

Initially, yield may slightly decrease, especially in the first 1–2 seasons. But over time, as soil health improves, yields become stable and sometimes comparable to conventional farming.

  1. Is natural farming profitable?

Yes. Even if yield is slightly lower at first, input costs are very low, so net profit can be equal or higher than chemical farming.

  1. What inputs are commonly used?
  • Jeevamrutham
  • Beejamrutham
  • Panchagavya
  • Fish amino acid
  • Botanical extracts (neem, chilli, garlic)

These are mostly made using local materials.

  1. Is FYM alone enough for crops?

No. FYM improves soil, but liquid bio-inputs like Jeevamrutham are needed to activate soil microbes and ensure better nutrient availability.

  1. Are natural pesticides effective?

They work well for preventive control and mild to moderate pest attacks, but require timely application and regular monitoring.

  1. Does natural farming need more water?

No. With practices like mulching and soil organic matter improvement, water requirement actually reduces.

  1. Is mulching necessary?

Yes. Mulching: Conserves moisture, Controls weeds and Improves soil fertility.

  • Use dry leaves, straw, or crop residues.
  1. Which crops are suitable?

Almost all crops can be grown, but millets, pulses, vegetables, and traditional varieties perform especially well.

  1. Does it require more labour?

Initially yes (for input preparation and mulching), but later labour demand reduces as the system stabilizes.

  1. Is government support available?

Yes. Many schemes provide: Training programs, Subsidies and Demonstrations through KVKs and agriculture departments

  1. Where can I learn more?
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • State Agricultural and Horticultural departments.

 

FAQs – Soil sampling

  1. Why should I take a soil sample?

Soil testing helps you understand nutrient status, pH, salinity, and organic matter in your field. This allows you to apply the right fertilizer in the right quantity, saving cost and improving yield.

  1. When is the best time to collect soil samples?
  • Before sowing or planting
  • After harvest (ideal time)
    Avoid sampling immediately after fertilizer application or irrigation.
  1. How often should I test my soil?

Generally, once in 2–3 years is sufficient.

  1. From what depth should soil be collected?
  • Field crops: 0–15 cm depth
  • Orchards: 15–30 cm and 30–60 cm depths
    Depth depends on crop root zone.
  1. How many samples should I collect from one field?

Take 5–10 subsamples from different spots in the field, mix them well, and make one composite sample.

  1. What tools can I use for soil sampling?
  • Soil auger
  • Spade or khurpi
  • Clean plastic bucket
    Avoid rusty or contaminated tools.
  1. How should I collect the sample properly?
  • Remove surface debris
  • Dig a V-shaped pit
  • Take soil from the sides
  • Mix all samples uniformly
  • Take about 500 grams for testing
  1. Where should I not collect soil samples?

Avoid sampling from:

  • Field edges
  • Near trees, compost pits
  • Water channels or bunds
  • Fertilizer application spots
  1. How should I store and send the sample?
  • Air-dry the soil in shade
  • Remove stones and roots
  • Pack in a clean cloth/plastic bag
  • Label with farmer name, field details
  1. What information should I provide with the sample?
  • Farmer name and address
  • Crop grown / to be grown
  • Irrigation source
  • Previous fertilizer use

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