RICE

Rice crop occupied 31 .45 lakh hectares in Punjab with total paddy production of 203.71
lakh tonnes (136.48 lakh tonnes of rice) during 2021-22. The average yield of paddy was
64.78 quintals per hectare (26.22 quintals per acre).
Important Hints
• To save water and for ease in management of paddy straw, grow PAU recommended
short duration varieties.
• Avoid cultivation of Pusa 44, Peeli Pusa, Dogar Pusa as these require 15-20 per cent
more water and demand atleast two extra sprays of pesticides, thereby lowering the
net profit.
• Restrict to timely sowing of nursery (20 May-20 June) and timely transplanting (20
June-10 July) schedule for better grain quality, water saving and low build-up of stem
borers.
• For higher yield and better grain quality from PR 126, transplant 25-30 days old nursery.
• Adopt direct seeding of rice in tar-wattar field from 1 June onwards for higher savings
in irrigation water.
• Apply fertilizers as per soil test. Omit phosphorus application in rice following wheat
that received recommended dose of phosphatic fertilizer. Use nitrogen judiciously
based on Leaf Colour Chart (LCC). Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer encourages
multiplication of insect pests and diseases.
• To control false smut disease, initiate the spray of recommended fungicides at boot
stage of the crop.
• Plant hoppers feed at the base of rice plants and are often overlooked. Their damage
is noticed only when the crop is hopper burnt. Hence, regular monitoring of the insect
population is necessary.
• Use of synthetic pyrethroids leads to increase in the population of rice planthoppers.
Hence, these insecticides should not be used for the control of rice insect-pests.
• Stop irrigation about a fortnight before maturity.
• Harvesting should be done at proper maturity and variety-wise. Avoid harvesting during
night.
Climatic Requirements
Rice is best suited to regions of high temperature, high humidity, prolonged sunshine
and assured water-supply. In Punjab, high productivity of rice can be expected if the
maximum temperature remains within 34-40, 33-35 and 32-35°C, minimum temperature
within 23-28, 25-27 and 20-25°C and the bright sunshine ranges between 7-11 , 6-10 and
7-10 hours/day during vegetative, flowering and grain development stages, respectively.

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Soil Type
Rice can grow well on soils with low permeability and over a wide range of soil reaction
viz. pH 5 to 9. Generally, the loamy soils are the best for rice cultivation.
Rotations
Rice-Wheat/ Berseem /Linseed/ Gram/ Barley, Rice-Wheat/ Summer Moong/Green
manuring, Rice-Celery, Rice- Potato/Peas-Celery, Rice-Potato-Potato/Summer Moong/
Sunflower/Celery/WheaUCucurbits, Rice- Toria-Sunflower, Rice-Gram-Summer Moong,
Rice-Gobhi Sarson-Summer Moong, DSR-Potato-Mentha/Onion.
Improved Varieties/Hybrids
PR 131 (Adhoc release, 2022): It is a high yielding, medium maturing and lodging
tolerant variety. Its average plant height is 111 cm and matures in about 110 days after
transplanting. It possesses long slender translucent grains with high total and head rice
recoveries. It is resistant to all the ten pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen prevalent in
the Punjab state. Its average yield is 31 .0 quintals per acre.
PR 130 (2022): It is a high yielding, mid early and lodging tolerant variety. Its average
plant height is 108 cm and it matures in about 105 days after transplanting. It possesses
long slender translucent and lustrous grains with high total and head rice recoveries. It is
resistant to all the ten pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen prevalent in the Punjab state.
Its average yield is 30.0 quintals per acre.
PR 129 (2020): It is an improved version of PAU 201 . It possesses long slender clear
translucent grains. Its' average plant height is 105 cm and matures in about 108 days after
transplanting. It is resistant to all the ten presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight
pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' average paddy yield is 30.0 quintals per acre.
PR 128 (2020): It is also an improved version of PAU 201 . It possesses long slender
clear translucent grains. Its' average plant height is 110 cm and matures in about 111 days
after transplanting. It is resistant to all the ten presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial
blight pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' average paddy yield is 30.5 quintals per acre.
HKR 47 (2020): It is a mid-early maturing variety. It takes about 104 days to mature
after transplanting with an average plant height of 117 cm. It possesses long slender, clear
translucent grains. It is susceptible to all the ten presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial
blight pathogen in the Punjab state and is prone to lodging. Its' average paddy yield is 29.5
quintals per acre.
PR 127 (2018): It is a medium maturing rice variety with an average height of 104 cm. It
matures in about 107 days after transplanting. It possesses long slender, clear translucent
grains with high total and head rice recoveries. It is resistant to all the ten presently prevalent
pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' average paddy yield is 30.0
quintals per acre. Do not grow this variety in alkali soils and under brackish water.
PR 126 (2017): It is an early maturing rice variety. It's average plant height is 102
cm and matures in about 93 days after transplanting. It possesses long slender, clear
translucent grains. It is resistant to seven of the ten presently prevalent pathotypes of
bacterial blight pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' average paddy yield is 30. 0 quintals per
acre. Transplant 25-30 days old nursery.
PR 122 (2013): Its' average plant height is 108 cm and matures in 117 days after
transplanting. It possesses long slender translucent grains. It is resistant to all the ten
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presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight
• Sow nursery of various
pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' average paddy
varieties as per
yield is 31.5 quintals per acre.
recommended schedule.
PR 121 (2013): It is a short statured, stiff strawed
• Transplant 25-30 days
lodging tolerant variety with dark green and erect
nursery of PR 126.
leaves. It attains height of about 98 cm and matures
in 110 days after transplanting. Its' grains are long • Level the fields with laser
slender, translucent with good cooking quality. It is land leveller before direct
resistant to all the ten presently prevalent pathotypes sowing or transplanting of
of bacterial blight pathogen in the Punjab state. Its' rice.
average paddy yield is 30.5 quintals per acre. • Keep water standing in
PR 114 (1999): It has narrow, dark green erect paddy field only for 2
leaves. It attains an average height of about 102 cm weeks and thereafter apply
and matures in about 115 days after transplanting. Irrigation 2 days after the
It possesses extra long, clear translucent grains. It ponded water has infiltrated
is resistant to five of the ten pathotypes of bacterial into soil.
blight pathogen presently prevalent in Punjab state.
Its' average yield is 27.5 quintals of paddy per acre.
PR 113 (1998): Its' average plant height is about 105 cm. Its' grains are bold and heavy.
It matures in about 112 days after transplanting. It is resistant to eight of the ten pathotypes
of bacterial leaf blight pathogen presently prevalent in Punjab state. Its' average paddy
yield is 28.0 quintals per acre.
Do not grow these varieties
Pusa 44/Pee// Pusa/Dogar Pusa: These long duration varieties consume 15-20 per
cent more water than PR varieties, have more straw load and are susceptible to all the
prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight in the State. Due to severe outbreak of insect-pest
and diseases, these demand atleast two extra sprays of pesticides thereby lowering the
net profit.
HKR 127: It is a medium duration variety and susceptible to most of the prevalent
pathotypes of bacterial blight in the state.
Agronomic Practices
Transplanted Rice
Nursery Raising: The time and method of sowing are important for getting healthy
seedlings.
I. For Conventional Transplanting
Time of Nursery Sowing: 20 May- 20 June is the optimum time of sowing:
PR 121, PR 122, PR 128, PR 129, PR 131 , PR 114, PR 113 May 20-25
PR 127, PR 130, HKR 47 May 25-31
PR 126 May 25-June 20
Seed Rate and Seed Treatment: Dip the seed in suitable lots in water contained in
a tub/ bucket. Stir the seed and remove immature grains which float at the top. The heavy

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seeds will settle down at the bottom. Eight kg of heavy seed is sufficient for transplanting
an acre. Heavy seed ensures healthy, sturdy and uniform seedlings. Treat the seed with
Sprint 75 WS (carbendazim + mancozeb) by making slurry of 3 g fungicide formulation in
10-12 ml water for one kg seed (24 g fungicide in 80-100 ml water for 8 kg seed) before
sowing.
Land Preparation, Fertilizers and Method of Sowing: Mix 12 to 15 tonnes of well-
rotten farmyard manure or compost per acre in the soil. Irrigate the field to permit the
germination of weeds. Plough the field twice after about a week to kill germinated weeds.
Spread the treated seeds in 7-8 cm thick layer over wet gunny bags and cover them
with wet gunny bags. Keep the layer of seeds moist by sprinkling water on it periodically.
The seeds sprout in about 24 to 36 hours.
Apply 26 kg urea, 60 kg single superphosphate and 40 kg zinc sulphate heptahydrate
(21 % Zn) or 25.5 kg zinc sulphate monohydrate (33% Zn) per acre at sowing. Sow 8 kg
seed by broadcasting on an area of 160 square meter (6.5 mar/as) to raise nursery for one
acre. To check the damage from birds, broadcast a thin layer of well-decomposed farmyard
manure immediately after broadcasting rice seed. Keep the soil moist by irrigating the
field frequently. Apply another dose of 26 kg urea per acre about a fortnight after sowing
so as to get the seedlings ready for transplanting in 25-30 days. However, under forced
circumstances, if nursery of about 45 days or above is to be transplanted, apply another
dose of 26 kg urea after 4 weeks of sowing. In case, any insect attack or disease appears
in the nursery, adopt the recommended plant protection measures. Irrigate the nursery
regularly. The seedlings are ready when they are 20-25 cm tall or with 6 to 7 leaves.
If the seedlings in the nursery show the yellowing of new leaves, spray them three
times with 0.5-1% ferrous sulphate solution (0.5-1 .0 kg ferrous sulphate dissolved in 100
litres of water per acre) at weekly intervals. If the leaves turn rusty brown after becoming
yellow, give a spray of 0.5% zinc sulphate heptahydrate solution (500 g zinc sulphate
heptahydrate dissolved in 100 litres of water) or 0.3% zinc sulphate monohydrate solution
(300 g zinc sulphate monohydrate dissolved in 100 litres of water per acre).
Weed Control: Swank and some other annual grasses are the main problems in rice
nursery. These weeds can be controlled by applying 1200 ml per acre Butachlor 50 EC
mixed with 60 kg of sand after 7 days of broadcasting seed or 500 ml per acre of Sofit 37 .5
EC (pretilachlor + safener readymix) as sand mix, 3 days after sowing or 100 ml per acre
of Nominee Gold/Taarak/Wash out/Macho 10 SC (bispyribac) as spray in 150 litres of water
at 15- 20 days after sowing.
II. For Rice Transplanter - Mat-type nursery
Select a location having fertile soil, assured irrigation and minimum transportation
distance of location to the field . There should be no stones or other hard material in the soil.
The field should be preferably laser leveled and 20 metres away from tubewell and trees.
Prepare the field at proper moisture. Spread polythene sheet 50-60 gauge, 90 cm wide
having 1-2 mm dia perforations over it. Polythene sheets weighing 270 g spread to a length
of about 15 meters (for about 150 mats) is sufficient for preparing seedlings for one acre.

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 Place one or more iron frames over the polythene sheet having compartments of size
45x21 x2 cm for engine operated transplanter and 5ax2ax2 cm for self propelled transplanter.
Number and size of compartments vary according to machine specifications. Fill the soil
from both sides of the frames uniformly upto the top surface.
Spread 50-60 g of pre-germinated seed evenly in each compartment to achieve
uniform density of 2 or 3 seeds/sq cm in the mat. For uniform seed distribution, use drum
type nursery sowing seeder. The length of nursery sowing seeder is to be equal to width of
frame and has openings of 1 cm diameter on full length of the roller. About 10-12 kg seed
is sufficient to sow about 150 mats required for transplanting in one acre. Cover the seeds
by a thin layer of soil and sprinkle water by hand sprayer for proper setting of the soil. Lift
frames and put these at the next place and repeat the above procedure for sowing the
required number of seedling mats. Two persons can sow seedlings for 3-4 acres in a day.
After sowing, irrigate the field on same day, but the flow of water for first 2-3 irrigations
should be very mild and level should be uniform so that there is no damage to newly formed
mats. Care must be taken that the seedling mats should be always wet. Spray the fertilizer
after an interval of about 10 days with 200 g urea dissolve in 15 litre water to150 mats. The
seedling mats will be ready after 25-30 days of sowing. Drain water from the nursery field a
few hours before uprooting of nursery. Give a cut with a sharp blade/knife along the nursery
boundaries of the mat. The uprooted nursery mats are ready for transport to the field.

Tractor operated seeder for mat type paddy nursery: The tractor operated seeder for
mat type paddy nursery can be used to lay a 1.0 m wide perforated polythene sheet (50-60
gauge) over 1.0 m wide soil bed with simultaneous uniform seed placement over the soil
bed for raising Mat type nursery for mechanical paddy transplanters.
Operations before Transplanting
Organic Manures/Pra/i Char. Apply 6 tonnes of farmyard manure or 6 tonnes of press
mud or 2.5 tonnes of poultry manure or 2.4 tonnes of dried gobar gas plant slurry or 2 .0
tonnes prali char (details of prali char are given under Management of Paddy Straw) per
acre before preparatory tillage for transplanting of rice.
Green manuring: Since organic manures are not available in required quantities,
green manuring with dhaincha/cowpea/sunnihemp is a very practicable alternative. After
harvesting wheat or any other preceding crop, apply pre-sowing irrigation (raum) and sow
20 kg per acre of dhaincha seed pre-soaked in water for 8 hours or 12 kg per acre of
cowpea (20 kg if bold seed is used) or 20 kg per acre of sunnhemp up to the first week of
May. Apply 75 kg superphosphate per acre to dhaincha/cowpea/sunnhemp in soils testing
low in phosphorus and omit application of phosphorus to the succeeding rice crop. Bury
6 to 8 weeks old dhaincha/cowpea/sunnhemp one day before transplanting of paddy.
Dhaincha should be prefered in kallar and recently reclaimed soils. This practice results in
saving of 25 kg of N (55 kg urea) per acre. If the moong crop after picking of pods has been
incorporated one day before transplanting then reduce fertilizer N dose by one-third. Green
manuring with dhaincha also ameliorates iron deficiency in rice.
Rice straw incorporation/retention: Continuous incorporation/retention of rice straw
improves soil health and rice yield. Whenever, the soil organic carbon content come under

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high (as per soil test report) category or after 8 years, reduces urea by 20 kg per acre in rice.
Land Preparation: Use laser land leveler for precision land leveling before puddling to
enhance the efficiency of water and other farm inputs. Repair all bunds. Obtain a fine well
levelled puddled field to reduce water loss through percolation, to maintain good seedling
vigour and to control weeds.
Transplanting
Dates of Transplanting: Time of transplanting is a single factor which influences rice
yield substantially. For getting maximum yield of rice and for the timely vacation of the field
for sowing wheat and other crops, transplant rice seedlings from 20 June to 10 July. Under
late sown conditions, prefer transplanting of PR 126.
Age of Seedlings at Transplanting: Use 30-35 days old seedlings for medium
duration varieties. However, for short duration variety (PR 126), seedlings of 25-30 days
should be used. Transplanting of aged seedlings results in reduction of yield and quality.
Uprooting of Seedlings: Irrigate the nursery before uprooting. Wash the seedlings in
water to remove mud.
Seedling Inoculation: Mix half kg packet of Azospirillum biofertilizer with 100 litre of
water. Dip the root of rice nursery seedlings for one acre in this solution for 45 minutes and
transplant immediately. The bio-fertilizer culture is available with the PAU Seed Shop at
Gate No. 1, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres in different districts.
Method of Transplanting
a. Flat puddled transplanting: Transplant seedlings in lines at 20 x 15 cm (33 hills/sq
m) for normal transplanting of all varieties and for late transplanting of PR126. Transplant
seedlings in lines at 15 x 15 cm (44 hills/sq m) for the late transplanting of other varieties.
Put 2 seedlings per hill. The seedlings should be transplanted upright and about 2-3 cm
deep. This practice ensures good establishment of seedlings and early tillering, which are
essential for good tiller development and synchronous flowering.
b. Ridge or Bed transplanting without puddling: In heavy textured soils, rice can be
transplanted on ridges or beds to save irrigation water. After field preparation, apply basal
dose of fertilizer and prepare ridges or beds with ridger or wheat bed planter. Irrigate the
furrows and immediately transplant seedlings on the middle of the slopes (both sides) of
60 cm spaced ridges keeping plant to plant spacing of 10 cm or on 67 .5 cm spaced beds
keeping plant to plant spacing of 9 cm.
During the first 15 days after transplanting, apply irrigation on daily basis. Thereafter,
apply irrigation in furrows only two days after the ponded water has infiltrated into the soil.
Every care should be taken that field does not develop cracks in the furrows.

For controlling weeds, spray 120 ml per acre Nominee Gold/ Wash out/Taarak/Macho
10 SC (bispyribac) in 150 litres of water at 20-25 days of transplanting. Hand pulling of
weeds can be done, if needed. Follow other cultural practices as recommended for flat
puddled transplanted rice.

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c. Mechanical transplanting: Mat type nursery should be transplanted with rice

transplanter at spacing of 30x12 cm.
Weed Control
lnterculture with a Paddy Weeder (V), 15 days after transplanting and again after a
fortnight. Where a paddy weeder cannot be run, hand weeding may be done.

Chemical weed control: The control of weeds with herbicides is both efficient and
economical.
1. Control of swank and other weeds: Use of any of the following pre-emergence, early
post-emergence and post-emergence herbicides provides effective control of swank
and moderate control of other weeds.

i. Pre-emergence (within 2 to 3 days of transplanting): Any of the herbicide listed in

the table below may be applied by mixing with 60 kg of sand/acre in standing water
within 2 to 3 days of transplanting.
Brands (Herbicide) Dose per Remarks
acre
Machete/Delchlor/Rasayanchlor/Exachlor/Punch/ 1200 ml These herbicides are
Hiltachlor/ Thunder/Teer/Capchlor/Trapp/ Milchlor/ highly effective against
Narmadachl or/Fych Ior/Aro ch I or/Mega ch lo r/ swank give moderate con-
Butachlor-Sunbeam /Markchlor/Paklor /Banweed/ trot of other weeds.
Butacid/Jaibutachlor 50 EC (butachlor)
Fast-mix 50 EW (butachlor) 1200 ml
Arozin 18 EC (anilofos) 850ml For control of kanki,
Arozin/Anilogaurd/Libra/
Arozin/Aniloguard/Libra/Control H-30 /Pestoanilofos/ 500 ml Control H-30/Jaifos/
Markanil/Jaifos/Haragro-anilfos/Padigard 30 EC Pestoanilofos/Markanil/
(anilofos) Haragro-anilfos/Padigard
have an edge over other
herbicides.
Stomp 30 EC (pendimethalin) 1000 to In case of Stomp, use
1200 ml lower dose on light
textured soils and higher
dose on medium to heavy
textured soils.
Rifit/Eraze/Markpretila/ Revenge/Mif Pretila/Sokusai 600 ml
50 EC (pretilachlor*)
Rifit Plus 37 EW (pretilachlor") 750ml
Sathi 10 WP (pyrazosulfuron ethyl) 60 g
Topstar 80 WP (oxadiargyl*) 45g
Use hand gloves while applying these herbicides.

ii. Early post-emergence (within 10-12 days of transplanting): Early post-emergence

spray of 40 ml per acre Granite 240 SC (penoxsulam*) at 10-12 days of transplanting

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·-
·- pp_kharif 2022-24 v Done

in 150 litres of water, particularly in fields where continuous standing of water is a

problem, provides effective control of grass weeds including swank, paddy mothas and
broadleaf weeds in transplanted rice. Do not spray the herbicide in the standing water
and irrigation may be applied one day after spray.
iii. Post-emergence (within 20-25 days of transplanting): For the effective control of
swank and paddy mothas, spray 100 ml per acre Nominee Gold/Wash out/Macho/
Taarak 10 SC (bispyribac) using 150 litres of water, at 20-25 days of transplanting. In
crop infested with Leptochloa (chini) gha and kanki, apply 400 ml per acre Ricestar 6.7
EC (fenoxaprop) at 20-25 days of transplanting in 150 litres of water. Do not spray the
herbicide in standing water and irrigation may be applied one day after spray.
2. Control of sedges and broadleaf weeds: For control of sedges (paddy mothas like
chhatri wala di/a) and broadleaf weeds including ghrilla, sanni etc, spray 30 g per acre
Algrip 20 WG (metsulfuron*) or 50 g Sunrice15 WG (ethoxysulfuron) or 40 g Londex
60 DF (bensulfuron methyl) or 16 g Segment 50 DF (azimsulfuron*) or 8 g per acre
Almix 20 WP (metsulfuron methyl +chlorimuron ethyl) if the crop is infested with paddy
mothas including gandi wala motha in 150 litres of water at 20 days of transplanting.
Do not spray the herbicide in standing water and irrigation may be applied one day
after spray. The spray should be done on a clear and calm day for getting good
efficacy from herbicides.
Use different group of recommended herbicides in rotation to avoid the problem of
herbicide resistance in weeds.
Delay in application of herbicides results in poor control of weeds.
Fertilizer Application
Apply organic manures, bio-fertilizer along with chemical fertilizers for higher crop yield
and maintenance of soil health.
a) Organic manures/Pra/i Char: As described earlier apply farmyard manure or
pressmud or poultry manure or gobar gas plant slurry or prali char or incorporate green
manure before transplanting of rice. Where organic manures are used, reduce the dose of
urea as under:
Organic manure Dose (t/acre) Fertilizer saving
Farmyard manure 6 16 kg Nitrogen (35 kg urea)
Pressmud 6 25 kg Nitrogen (55 kg urea)
Poultry manure 2.5 25 kg Nitrogen (55 kg urea)
Gobar gas slurry 2.4 16 kg Nitrogen (35 kg urea)
Prali Char 2.0 16 kg Nitrogen (35 kg urea)#
Green manure - 25 kg Nitrogen (55 kg urea)##
Summer moong crop residue incorporation - 16 kg Nitrogen (35 kg urea)##
# In addition to saving of nitrogen, application of prali char@ 2.0 t/acre increase the crop
yield by 10 %.
## In loamy sand to sandy loam soils incorporate green manure or summer moong residue
and apply recommended dose of nitrogen (50 kg N/acre) to get higher yield.

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 b) Bio-fertilizer: Treat the nursery roots with one packet of recommended bio-fertilizer
before transplanting.
c) Chemical Fertilizers: Apply fertilizer on soil test basis (See Chapter on 'Soil
Testing'). However, in the absence of soil test, apply the fertilizers as under:
*Nutrients (kg per acre) Fertilizers (kg per acre)
N P20 5 Kp Neem OAP or single Muriate of
coated urea superphosphate potash
42 12 12 90 27 75 20
* These nutrients can also be supplied from the other fertilizers available in the market
(Appendix VII)
To reduce sterility in paddy, apply foliar spray of 1.5% potassium nitrate (3 kg
potassium nitrate in 200 litre of water per acre) at boot stage.
Note:
• Skip phosphorus application to rice if recommended dose of phosphorus had been applied to
the preceding wheat crop.
• Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers only when the soil test shows deficiency of these
nutrients (See Chaper on Soil Testing).
• Apply the whole of phosphorus and potassium as per soil test before the puddling.
Phosphorus can be top dressed up to 21 days after transplanting.
• When 27 kg OAP is used in deficient soil, reduce the urea dose by 10 kg.
• Apply nitrogen fertilizer in 3 equal splits to all recommended varities. The first split should
be applied upto 7 days of transplanting and second split at 21 days of transplanting.
The third split to short duration (PR 126) should be applied at 35 days of transplanting
while for other varieties, it should be applied at 42 days of transplanting.
• Apply the second and the third split of nitrogen when water is not standing in the field.
Irrigate on the third day of the application of fertilizer.
PAU-Leaf Colour Chart (PAU-LCC) for
• Prefer to use organic/green
need based Urea application manures and reduce dose of
• Apply basal dose of 25 kg urea per acre. chemical fertilizer accordingly.
• Start matching colour of the first fully exposed • Skip phosphorus application
leaf from the top with the LCC at 7 day if recommended dose of
intervals after 14 days of transplanting. phosphorus had been applied
• Whenever the greenness of 6 or more out of to the preceeding wheat crop.
10 leaves is lighter than LCC shade 4 apply • Use PAU-Leaf Colour Chart
25 kg urea per acre. for need based nitrogen
• No urea should be applied if colour of leaves application.
is equal to or darker than LCC shade 4. • Excessive use of nitrogenous
fertilizers particularly during
• Use of LCC should be discontinued after
flowering causes sterility and
initiation of flowering and no more urea should consequently heavy reduction
be applied. in yield.
Note: Need based nitrogen management using LCC • To manage iron deficiency
holds good for all the prevalent rice varieties grown apply foliar sprays of 1%
in all type of soils. The use of LCC is highly beneficial ferrous sulphate solution.
for optimum fertilizer nitrogen use when fields are

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amended with organic manures. Always match colour of the leaf with LCC under shade of the body.
The leaves selected for measuring leaf greenness should be free of insect-pest incidence. There
should not be water stress to the crop and nutrients other than nitrogen should be supplied as per
recommendations. The LCC can be purchased from PAU Seed Shop at Gate No. 1, Krishi Vigyan
Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres in different districts.
Zinc Deficiency: The symptoms of zinc deficiency appear 2-3 weeks after
transplanting (Plate No. 1, page 186). The lower leaves become rusty brown near the base
and ultimately dry up. The seedlings with zinc deficiency remain stunted and tillerless. To
control this malady, apply 25 kg of zinc sulphate heptahydrate (21%) or 16 kg zinc sulphate
monohydrate (33%) per acre at puddling in case previous crop in this field had shown the
symptoms of zinc deficiency. Where the deficiency is noticed in the growing crop, apply this
quantity of zinc sulphate as soon as possible.
In highly deteriorated soils, the symptoms of zinc deficiency sometimes appear in
patches even after the application of the recommended dose of zinc sulphate. In that
event, broadcast 10 kg of zinc sulphate heptahydrate or 6.5 kg zinc sulphate monohydrate
per acre mixed with an equal quantity of dry soil on the affected patches.
Iron Deficiency: Under scarcity of water, chlorosis among seedlings appears in the
youngest leaf about three weeks after transplanting (Plate No. 2, page 186). Plants die and
often the crop fails completely. Start giving copious irrigations as soon as chlorosis appears
and give 2 or 3 sprays of one per cent ferrous sulphate solution at weekly intervals (1 kg of
ferrous sulphate in 100 litres of water per acre).
Irrigation and Drainage: Keep the water standing continuously in the crop for two
weeks only after transplanting so that the seedlings get properly established. Afterwards,
apply irrigation two days after the ponded water has infiltrated into the soil. To save irrigation
water, irrigate with tensiometer installed at 15-20 cm soil depth at soil matric tension of
150±20 cm or when water level in tensiometer enters yellow strip. Every care should be
taken that field does not develop cracks. In this way, irrigation water can be saved without
causing any reduction in yield. The depth of standing water should not exceed 10 cm.
Drain away excess water before interculturing or weeding and irrigate the field after these
operations. Stop irrigation about a fortnight before maturity to facilitate easy harvesting and
the timely sowing of the succeeding rabi crop.
Harvesting and Threshing: Harvest the crop just when the ears are nearly ripened
and straw has turned yellow. If harvesting is delayed till the crop is dead ripe, the
shattering of grains occurs. The milling quality of the grains is also affected. Combines
are successfully used for harvesting paddy. Operate the combine at proper speed. Prefer
combines fitted with a PAU Super S.M.S. (Straw Management System) for chopping and
even distribution of straw. After harvesting of paddy with such combines, wheat can directly
be sown with the help of Happy Seeder without burning of paddy straw. Tractor-drawn
vertical conveyor reaper windrower can also be used for harvesting paddy. Multi-crop
threshers can also be used for threshing paddy (Appendix V).
Production of Pure Seed: Select a good plot of the standing crop and rogue it
thoroughly so that it is made free from all admixtures and diseased plants. Harvest and

10
thresh this plot separately. Dry the produce well and store separately in disinfested bins.
Marketing and Storage
Marketing of the farm produce is an important function as income of the farmer to some
extent depends upon it. As per specified norms, the moisture content in paddy should
not be more than 17 per cent at the time of its marketing. The farmer has to pay only
unloading and cleaning charges of the produce. The farmers are advised to get 'J' form
from the commission agent. The produce kept for home use should be dried thoroughly in
the sun for about a week and stored in bins or kept in a heap inside the room. The optimum
moisture content for storage is 12 per cent.
Management of Paddy Straw
In Punjab, about 220 lakh tonnes paddy straw is produced annually and a large
portion of the straw is being burnt by the farmers. The straw contains a significant amount
of essential plant nutrients. One tonne of paddy burning causes loss of 400 kg organic
carbon, 5.5 kg of N, 2.3 kg of P, 25 kg of Kand 1.2 kg of S. The burning of residue causes
complete loss of nitrogen and sulphur. Due to burning of paddy straw poisonous gases
like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and nitric oxide are produced which are
harmful for human and animal health. To avoid burning of straw, the following techniques
are recommended:

1. In-situ management of paddy straw

a. Wheat sowing with Happy Seeder: Happy Seeder is recommended to sow wheat
in combine harvested paddy field without any straw burning. It is a PTO driven machine
operated by 45 HP tractor and it covers about 0.75-0.80 acre per hour. The loose straw
needs to be spread uniformly in the field for the proper working of Happy Seeder. It can
be done manually or harvest the paddy by combine harvester fitted with PAU super straw
management system (SMS). After the harvesting of paddy with combine fitted with Super
SMS, wheat can be sown with Happy Seeder or Spatial Zero Till Drill, without straw burning.
The paddy straw acts as mulch which adversely affects the weed population.
In case the paddy is harvested with a combine without SMS system, use PAU Straw
Cutter cum Spreader for chopping and spreading of paddy straw. After chopping of straw,
sow wheat with PAU Happy Seeder (fitted with press wheels).
b. Wheat sowing with Super Seeder: Harvest paddy with combine harvester fitted
with the PAU Super SMS for sowing wheat with Super Seeder in combine harvested paddy
field without any straw burning. It is a PTO driven machine operated by 55 HP or above
tractor and it covers about 4 .5-5.5 acre per day.
c. Wheat sowing with PAU Smart Seeder: Harvest paddy with combine harvester
fitted with the PAU Super SMS for sowing wheat with PAU Smart Seeder in combine
harvested paddy field without any straw burning. It is a PTO driven machine operated by
45 HP or above tractor and it covers about 7-8 acre per day.
d. Incorporation: Chop the straw and stubbles with Paddy Straw Chopper cum
Spreader after combine harvesting of paddy. The chopped straw can be mixed in to the soil
with rotary tillers after applying a light irrigation. The field comes in wattar condition in 2- 3
weeks depending on type of soil. Sow wheat seed with zero till drill or with conventional

11
drill. Grow short duration rice varieties for increasing window period for straw
management.

2. Management after removal of paddy straw

Use Straw baler for baling the paddy straw after combine harvesting. It collects the
loose straw or complete straw after chopping the standing stubbles with stubble shaver.
These bales can be used for different purposes as follows:
a. Power generation: Eleven biomass power plants have been established in Punjab
for the generation of electricity from paddy straw bales. Heat produced by burning paddy
straw is used to run steam turbine which further generates electricity.
b. Paddy straw based bio-gas plant: Paddy straw can be used in a specially designed
biogas plant for bio gas production. This biogas plant is filled one time with 16 quintal
chopped paddy straw along with 4-5 quintal cattle dung and it provides 3-4 m3 biogas daily
for 3 months.
c. Paddy straw geyser: A geyser has been developed by the University for heating
water by using paddy straw bales. In this geyser about 100 litres of water can be heated
to 45-50°C in 3-4 hours. The water once filled in the geyser remains hot for up to 24 hours
or even more.
d. Phospo-compost: Phopho-compost can be prepared from the paddy straw. (see
details in Orgrnic Farming Chapter )
e. Prali Char. Prati Char is a carbon rich porous product obtained after the partial
combustion of rice straw at low temperatures in the presence of little or no oxygen. It
can be prepared in a pyramid or dome type kiln, made up of bricks and clay. To prepare 8
quintals of Pra/i Char from 12 quintals of rice straw, the height of this dome should be 14 ft
with 10 ft diameter. Two windows each at the top and at the bottom of the kiln are provided
for loading of paddy straw. Six vents of 2 inch diameter in the upper portion and eight vents
are provided at three heights on the remaining portion of the structure. Fill the kiln with rice
straw up to top. Seal the lower loading window and ignite the straw from the top loading
window and immediately seal it with clay.
The partial combustion of rice straw will start from the top and proceeds towards the
bottom. The emission of thin blue smoke from the vents indicates that the process of Prali
Char formation is complete in this zone. To facilitate the combustion in the next zone, seal
the vents located in the upper portion of the dome and likewise proceed to seal the vents
of the middle and lower zone, respectively. The whole process usually takes about 10-12
hours. To seal the cracks developed during combustion and to cool the kiln, pour a diluted
mixture of clay and water on the outer surface of the kiln. Normally it takes about two days
to cool, however it can be cooled by sprinkling water for removing the Prali Char on the
same day. On an average, it contains 30-36 % carbon, 0.5-0.6 % nitrogen, 0.16-0.22 %
phosphorus and 1.6- 2.2 % potassium. Its' application to rice and wheat@ 2.0 t/acre saves
16 kg N (35 kg urea), increases crop productivity and improves soil health.
Besides, paddy straw can also be used as mulch material in different crops, mushroom
cultivation and as animals bedding.

12
Plant Protection
A. Insect Pests
Rice stem borers: The larvae of these insects bore into the stem and cause damage
from July to October. The affected young plants show dead-hearts (yellowing and drying of
central shoot) whereas the old ones produce empty earheads which turn white and stand
erect (Plate No. 3, page 186).
The fields showing more than 5% dead hearts (Economic Threshold Level, ETL)
should be sprayed with 60 ml Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole*) or 20 ml Fame 480 SC
(flubendiamide* 39.35%) or 50 g Takumi 20 WG (flubendiamide* 20%) or 170 g Mortar 75
SG (cartap hydrochloride) or 1 litre Coroban/Dursban/Lethal/Chlorguard/Durmet/Classic/
Force 20 EC (chlorpyriphos) or 80 ml neem based bio-pesticide, Ecotin (azadirachtin 5%)
in 100 litres of water per acre. Further application of any of these insecticides may be
repeated as and when damage reaches economic threshold level. Prefer Ecotin at pest
initiation stage.
Leaf folder: The larvae fold the leaves, eat out the green tissue and produce
whitestreaks (Plate No. 4, page 186). The damage is highest during August-October. When
the leaf damage reaches 10% (ETL), adopt the following control measures:
• Mechanical Control: The mechanical control of leaf folder can be done only before
flowering by passing the 20-30 m long coir/jute rope, forwards and then backwards,
both ways while touching the crop canopy. While passing the rope, ensure that water
must be standing in the crop.
• Chemical Control: Spray the crop with 60 ml Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole*) or
20 ml Fame 480 SC (flubendiamide* 39.35%) or 50 g Takumi 20 WG (flubendiamide*
20%) or 170 g Mortar 75 SG (cartap hydrochloride) or 1 litre Coroban/Durmet/Force
20 EC (chlorpyriphos) or 80 ml neem based bio-pesticide, Ecotin (azadirachtin 5%) in
100 litres of water per acre. Prefer Ecotin at pest initiation stage.
Planthoppers: These hoppers include, whitebacked planthopper and brown
planthopper. Both nymphs and adults of these pests suck the cell sap particularly from the
leaf-sheath from July to October. The crop dries up in patches. As the plants dry up, the
hoppers migrate to the adjoining plants and kill them. In a few days, the area of the dry
patches enlarge.
About one month after transplanting, a few plants in the field should be slightly tilted
and tapped 2 or 3 times at the base at weekly interval. When minimum 5 planthoppers per
hill (ETL) are seen floating in the water, spray 94 ml Pexalon 10 SC (triflumezopyrim) or 80
g Osheen/Token/ Dominant 20 SG (dinotefuran)
or 120 g Chess 50 WG (pymetrozine) or 400
• For need based insecticides
ml Orchestra 10 SC (benzpyrimoxan) or 300 ml application, spray the crop
Imagine 10 SC (flupyrimin) or 800 ml Ekalux/ at Economic Threshold Level
Quinguard/Quinalmass 25 EC (quinalphos) or 80 (ETL) of insect-pests as under:
ml neem based bio-pesticide, Ecotin (azadirachtin - Stem borers: 5% dead hearts
5%) or 4 litres PAU Homemade Neem Extract - Leaf folder: 10% leaf damage
in 100 litres of water per acre. Prefer Ecotin or - Planthoppers: Minimum 5
PAU Homemade Neem Extract at pest initiation planthoppers per hill
stage. Repeat the spray if necessary. For better
13
effectiveness, use knapsack sprayer while directing its spray towards the base of the
plants. If the damage is noticed at hopper burn stage, treat the affected spots alongwith
their 3-4 metre periphery immediately as these spots harbour high population of the insect.
Grasshoppers: The adults and nymphs of the grasshoppers eat the leaves especially
in nursery. Insecticides recommended for the control of planthoppers are also effective for
grasshoppers.
Rice hispa: Rice hispa is a serious pest in some areas of the Gurdaspur and Amritsar
districts and is also found in the other rice growing areas of the State. The grubs of this pest
tunnel into the leaves, whereas the adults are exposed feeders. The grubs cause damage
by producing bold, white streaks on the leaves.
If the attack starts in nursery, clip-off and destroy the leaf tips of the affected seedlings
before transplanting. On the transplanted crop, spray 800 ml Ekalux 25 EC (quinalphos)
or 1.0 litre Dursban 20 EC (chlorpyriphos) in 100 litres of water per acre with a manually
operated sprayer. Repeat the spraying if the attack persists.
Rice root weevil: This weevil is a localized pest in the rice area around Rajpura.
However, this pest has also been observed in some other areas in the State. Its' white,
legless grubs feed on roots in the soil from July to September. The attacked plants turn
yellow, stunted and produce only a few tillers.
Rice-ear-cutting-caterpillar: The larvae of this insect are gregarious in habit and are
commonly known as 'armyworm'. The young larvae feed on leaves, leaving only the mid-
ribs and stems. The old larvae cut off the panicles mostly at the base and hence the name
"rice ear-cutting caterpillar". This stage of the insect causes serious loss to the paddy crop.
The larvae are shy of sunlight and generally feed at night. The damage to paddy crop is
caused mostly during September to November.
B. Diseases
Sheath blight (Rhizoctonia so/am): Greyish green lesions with purple margin
develop on the leaf-sheath above the water level. Later, the lesions enlarge and coalesce
with other lesions (Plate No. 5, page 186). Its' severe attack results in the poor filling of
the grains. Destroy the rice straw and stubbles after harvesting the affected crop. Avoid
the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers. Keep the bunds clean by removing the grass.
At maximum tillering to boot stage of crop, as soon as the disease appears, spray
150 ml lglare/Pulsor 24 SC (thifluzamide) or 26.8 g Epic 75 WG (hexaconazole) or 400
ml Galileo Way 18.76 SC (picoxystrobin + propiconazole) or 200 ml Amistar Top 325 SC
or TilUBumper/Pikapika 25 EC (propiconazole) or Folicur/Orius (tebuconazole) 25 EC or
80 g Nativo 75 WG (trifloxystrobin+tebuconazole) or 320 ml Lusture 37.5 SE (flusilazole
+ carbendazim) or 200 ml Monceren 250 SC (pencycuron) in 200 litres of water per acre.
Give second spray 15 days thereafter.
False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens): It is a fungal disease in which the individual
grains transform into large yellowish/greenish velvety spore-balls (Plate No. 6, page 186).
High relative humidity, rainy and cloudy days during the flowering period increase the
incidence of the disease. The application of organic manures and high dose of nitrogenous
fertilizers also increases the intensity of attack.

14
 To control this disease, give spray of 400 • To prevent rice diseases, avoid
ml Galileo Way 18.76 SC (picoxystrobin + excessive use of nitrogen.
propiconazole) or 500 g Kocide 46 OF (copper
• Early transplanting, excessive
hydroxide) in 200 litres of water per acre at boot
ponding of water, continuous
stage of the crop in disease prone areas.
dizzling, 25-30°C temperature
Brown leaf spot (Drechslera oryzae): and high relative humidity are
It produces oval, eye-shaped spots with a favourable for development of
conspicuous dark-brown dot in the centre and diseases.
light brown margin. Spots are also produced on • Monitor the crop for sheath
the grains. This disease occurs in poor soils, blight appearance and apply
therefore, give adequate and balanced nutrition recommended fungicides for
to the crop. To control the disease, give two its timely management.
sprays of 80 g Nativo 75 WG (trifloxystrobin +
• For the management of
tebuconazole) in 200 litres of water/acre. Give false smut, apply preventive
first spray at boot stage of crop and second spray application of recommended
after 15 days. fungicide at boot stage.
Blast (Pyricularia grisea): The fungus
causes spindle shaped spots with greyish centre
and brown margin on the leaves at maximum tillering. It also causes brown lesions
on the neck of the panicle, showing neck rot symptoms and the panicles fall over. The
disease is more severe on Basmati cultivars particularly in the submontaneous areas and
under application of heavy nitrogenous fertilizers. Spray the affected crop with 200 ml
Amistar Top 325 SC (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole) or 500 g lndofil Z-78, 75 WP (zineb*)
per acre in 200 litres of water, at the boot and ear-emergence stages.
Bunt/Kernel Smut (Neovoss/a horrlda): Only a few grains in the panicle are
infected. Frequently, only a part of the grain is replaced by a black powder. Sometimes,
entire grain is also attacked and the black powder scatters on to other grains or leaves,
and this is often the easiest way to detect the disease in the field. Also avoid heavy doses
of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Sheath rot (Fusarlum moniliforme): The rot occurs on the uppermost leaf-sheaths
where oblong to irregular and grey-brown to light-brown lesions develop. The lesions
often coalesce to cover the entire sheath. In severe cases, young panicles either do
not emerge or emerge partially. A white-powdery growth of the fungus appears on the
panicle inside the sheath. The glumes of infected florets are discoloured, dark-red or
purple brown to black and often do not fill. The fungus over-winters in rice straw and
grains. Destroy the rice straw after harvesting the infected crop. Use disease free seed
for sowing.
Give two sprays of 26.8 g Epic 75 WG ( hexaconazole) in 200 litres of water per acre.
The first spray should be given at boot stage and second 15 days afterwards.
Stem rot (Sclerotium oryzae): The fungus affects the stem at earing and black
lesions are produced on the sheath at water level. Later on, the stem gets infected
and rots leading to withering and lodging of the plant. The incidence of this disease
has declined on high yielding varieties due to improved cultural practices. Destroy the
diseased debris of infected crop. Avoid excessive irrigation and use recommended dose
of nitrogenous fertilizer.
15
 I
Bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae): Greenish-yellow stripes
appear along the leaf margins and extend both lengthwise and breadthwise. The leaf
starts drying from the tip, becomes white in severe cases and dries up completely. The
disease sometimes attacks the freshly transplanted seedlings which start wilting and in a
few days the whole clump dries up. The bacterium perpetuates through seed, rice straw,
and roots of non-host plants during the off-season. In order to mitigate the losses, adopt
the following integrated measures:
• For the management of bacterial blight, grow rice varieties PR 131, PR 130, PR 129,
PR 128, PR 127, PR 126, PR 122, PR 121 and PR 113 which are resistant to most of
the pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen.
• Use disesse free seed.
• Do not grow nursery and crop under shade and near wheat straw stack (Kup)
• Do not apply excessive dose of nitrogen. Nitrogen should not be applied beyond six
weeks after transplanting (except when LCC is used).
• Do not pond water in the field continuously.
Bacterial leaf streak (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzico/a): Small translucent
streaks appear in the interveinal areas of the leaf. The streaks gradually enlarge and turn
reddish, when the plants near maturity. Use disease free seed.
Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne gramlnlcola): The disease first appears
in uneven yellow patches. The affected seedings show poor and patchy growth with
chlorotic symptoms and characteristic terminal hook or bead like galls on the roots.
For the management of root knot nematode, apply mustard cake @ 40 g per square
metre (1 .0 kg per marla)10 days before sowing of nursery with last preparatory tillage
operation after rauni. Also, practice puddling for nursery sowing.
Caution: Exercise waiting period of 10 days between application of Mustard cake
and sowing of nursery.
C. Rodents
Do rodent control before milky grain stage in August-September as per the method
given in chapter 11 "Management of Rodents and Birds".

16
 I
Rice Cultivation in Alkali Soils
• Addition of Gypsum: If the pH of soil is more then 9.3 then apply gypsum on soil test
basis and give one or two heavy irrigations.
• Preparation of Seed bed: Do not puddle, because water intake rate in these soils is
very low. Irrigate the tilled field and give a light planking to pulverize the clods.
• Transplanting: Transplant seedlings a week earlier than the normal time of
transplanting, because the initial growth of plants in alkali soils is slow. Plant three or
four 40 days old seedlings per hill. More seedlings per hill are recommended because
of higher mortality in these soils. Do not grow PR 127 under alkali conditions.
• Fertilizer Application: Apply 20-25 per cent more nitrogen than in normal soils. Alkali
soils are low in organic carbon and the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer in these soils is
also low. Add 60 kg of nitrogen through 130 kg of urea per acre in three splits, 1/3 at
transplanting, 1/3 three weeks after transplanting and the remaining 1/3 six weeks after
transplanting. Apply the same amount of phosphorus as to the normal soils. In addition,
apply 25 kg of zinc sulphate heptahydrate or 16 kg zinc sulphate monohydrate per
acre during the preparatory tillage. Where dhaincha is grown for green manuring, add
the quantity of P2 O5 recommended for rice to this legume and omit the application of
phosphorus to the succeeding rice crop.

BASMATI RICE
Climatic Requirements
Like semi-dwarf rice varieties, basmati varieties require prolonged sunshine, high
humidity and assured water supply. Basmati varieties with superior cooking and eating
characteristics can be produced if the crop matures in relatively cooler temperature. The
high temperature during grain filling period reduces the cooking and eating quality features.
Rotations
Basmati Rice-Wheat/Sunflower, Basmati Rice-Wheat-Summer Moong, Basmati Rice-
Mentha, Basmati Rice-Berseem (Fodder & seed), Basmati Rice-Celery-Bajra (Fodder),
DSBR-Potato-Mentha
Improved Varieties
Punjab Basmati 7 (2021 ): It is a semi-dwarf Basmati variety which is about 111 cm
tall. It possesses extra-long slender grains which are soft, non-sticky and almost double
upon cooking. It is highly aromatic like traditional Basmati varieties. Its' average yield is 19.0
quintals per acre. It matures in about 101 days after transplanting. It is resistant to all the ten
presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen in the Punjab state.
Pusa Basmati 1718 (2019): It is a bacterial blight resistant version of Pusa Basmati 1121
which is resistant to all the ten pathotypes of bacterial blight presently prevalent in the Punjab
state. Its' average plant height is 121 cm and it matures in 114 days after transplanting. It
possesses extra long slender grains with good cooking quality. Its' average paddy yield is
17.0 quintals per acre.
Pusa Basmati 1637 (2018): It is a new version of Pusa Basmati 1 which is moderately
tolerant to blast disease. Its' average plant height is 109 cm and matures in 108 days after
transplanting. It possesses extra long slender grains. Its' average paddy yield is 17.5 quintals
per acre.

17
 I
Punjab Basmati 5 (2017): It is a semi-dwarf •
Pusa Basmati 1637 is
Basmati variety which is about 112 cm tall. It moderately resistant to blast.
possesses extra-long slender grains with excellent
• Punjab Basmati 7, 5 and Pusa
cooking and eating quality characteristics. The Basmati 1718 are resistant to
grains almost double upon cooking, are non-sticky bacterial blight.
and highly aromatic. Its' aroma is even better • Do not apply nitrogenous
than the existing traditional Basmati varieties. It is fertilizer to Basmatl sown after
resistant to all the ten pathotypes of bacterial blight green manuring.
pathogen presently prevalent in the state. It matures • For the control of Foot rot,
in about 107 days after transplanting. Its' average treat the seed and seedlings
paddy yield is 15.0 quintals per acre. as per recommendations.
CSR 30 (2017): It is about 139 cm tall. It
possesses extra-long slender grains with excellent
cooking and eating quality characteristics. The grains are non-sticky, soft to eat and highly
aromatic. It is susceptible to all the pathotypes of bacterial blight presently prevalent in
the state. It matures in about 112 days after transplanting. Its' average paddy yield is 13.5
quintals per acre.
Pusa Basmatl 1509 (2013): It is an early maturing variety which matures in about 95
days after transplanting. Its' average height is 92 cm. It possesses extra-long slender grains
with excellent cooking and eating quallity characteristics. Its' grains become almost double
upon cooking and are scented. It is suitable for multiple cropping system. Transplant 25
days old seedlings for better tillering. It is susceptible to all the pathotypes of bacterial blight
pathogen prevalent in the state. Its' average paddy yield is 15.7 quintals per acre.
Pusa Basmatl 1121 (2008): It is about 120 cm tall. It possesses extra long slender
grains with good cooking quality. It has longest cooked rice length among all the aromatic
rice varieties recommended for Punjab. It matures in about 107 days after transplanting. It is
susceptible to all the pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen prevalent in the state. It yields
on an average 13.7 quintals of paddy per acre.
Agronomic Practices
Puddled Basmati
Agronomic practices like land preparation, seed rate and seed treatment, method
of nursery raising, weed control etc. are the same for Basmati varieties as for other
semi-dwarf rice varieties. However, some of the agronomic practices which require special
mention are discussed below:
Seed and Seedling Treatment: Foot rot Is a major disease of Basmati. To control this
disease, seed and seedling treatment is mandatory. Smear the seeds with talc formulation
of Trichoderma harzianum @ 15 g per kg of seed immediately before sowing and seedling
root dip for 6 hrs with T. harzianum @ 15 g per litre of water before transplanting. Or treat
the seed with Sprint 75 WS (carbendazim + mancozeb) by making slurry of 3 g fungicide
formulation in 10 ml water for one kg seed before sowing.
Nursery sowing and transplanting time: The time of transplanting is a crucial
factor in determining the yield and quality of Basmati.

18
Varieties Time of Nursery Sowing Time of Transplanting
I
Punjab Basmati 7 and 5,
First fortnight of June First fortnight of July
Pusa Basmati 1121, 1637 and 1718

CSR 30 and Pusa Basmati 1509 Second fortnight of June Second fortnight of July
Age of Seedlings: Seedlings of Basmati varieties are ready for transplanting when they
attain 5 to 6 leaf stage or are 25-30 days old. Longer stay of seedlings in the nursery bed
results into node formation which reduce tillering and yield in basmati varieties. About 25
days old seedlings of Pusa Basmati 1509 should be transplanted for better tillering.
Method of Transplanting: Irrigate the nursery before uprooting and wash them to
remove mud. Transplant two seedlings per hill in lines at 20 x 15 cm (33 hills/sq. metre)
during the optimum period in a well puddled field. In the late transplanted crop, the spacing
may be reduced to 15x15 cm (44 hills/sq. metre) to minimize the reduction in yield.
Fertilizer Appllcatlon
Use organic and chemical fertilizers as under:
a) Organic Manures: Practice green manure before basmati. Do not apply urea if the
field has been green manured with 45-55 days old sunnhemp/dhaincha or summer moong
straw has been incorporated after picking of pods.
b) Chemical Fertilizers: Apply fertilizers on soil test and crop rotation basis. Skip
phosphorus application if the recommended dose of phosphorus has been applied to the
preceeding wheat crop. However in phosphorus deficient soils, apply 75 kg of superphosphate
per acre before last puddling. Recommended dose of urea for different varieties is as under:
• CSR 30 - 18 kg urea per acre
• Punjab Basmati 7 & 5 and Pusa Basmati 1121, 1637 & 1718 - 36 kg urea per acre
• Pusa Basmati 1509 - 54 kg urea per acre
High doses of nitrogen application to basmati causes excessive vegetative growth and
plant height. This makes the crop more prone to lodging thus resulting into poor yield. Apply
urea in two equal splits at 3 weeks and 6 weeks after transplanting. If possible, apply urea
when water is not standing in the field. Irrigate on third day of the application of urea.
PAU-Leaf Colour Chart (PAU-LCC) for need based Urea application
• No basal urea should be applied at the time of transplanting of basmati rice.
• Start matching colour of first fully exposed leaf from top of plant with the PAU-LCC at 7
days interval after 21 days of transplanting.
• Every time match colour of the ten intact leaves with LCC shade 3.5 (for CSR 30) and
LCC shade 4 (for Punjab Basmati 7, 5 and Pusa Basmati 1121, 1509, 1637 and 1718).
• When ever the greenness of 6 or more out of 10 leaves is lighter than the specified LCC
shades, apply 9 kg urea per acre.
• No urea should be applied if colour of 6 or more out of 10 leaves is equal to or darker
than specified LCC shades.
• Use of LCC should be discontinued after initiation of flowering and no more urea should
be applied.
Note:
The LCC is highly beneficial for optimum fertilizer nitrogen applications in fields amended with

19
 I
organic manures.
• The leaves selected for measuring leaf greenness should be free of insect-pest disease incidence.
• There should not be any water stress to the crop and the nutrients other than nitrogen should be
supplied as per recommendations.
The leaf colour chart can be purchased from the PAU Seed Shop at Gate No. 1, Krishi
Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres in different districts.
Irrigation: Keep the water ponded continuously for 2 weeks after transplanting.
Afterwards apply irrigation two days after the ponded water has infiltrated into the soil. The
crop should not suffer any water stress particularly during flowering. Stop irrigation about a
fortnight before harvesting to facilitate easy harvesting and timely sowing of succeeding rabi
crop.
Harvesting and Threshing: Basmati should be harvested as soon as the crop matures
i.e. when the ears are nearly ripe and the straw has turned yellow. Delayed harvesting
may cause over-ripening and shattering of grains. The harvested crop should preferably
be threshed on the same or next day of harvesting. The delayed threshing causes high
shattering losses, reduced head rice recovery and ultimately reduces the market price of
paddy.
Plant Protection
A. Insect Pests
Stem borers: Basmati rice varieties are highly susceptible to stem borers namely yellow
stem borer, white stem borer and pink stem borer. The yellow and white stem borers are
serious up to flowering stage. The pink stem borer generally appears late and is more serious
aUafter maximum tillering stage when its damage affects grain formation. It is, therefore,
necessary to monitor the crop regularly for stem borer damage. As and when there are more
than 2% dead hearts (ETL) in the field, adopt the following control measures:
Stem borers can be managed by spraying neem based biopesticide, 80 ml Ecotin
(azadirachtin 5%) or 1000 ml Achook/Neem Kavach (azadirachtin 0.15%) or 20 ml Fame
480 SC (flubendiamide* 39.35%) or 50 g Takumi 20 WG (flubendiamide* 20%) or 60 ml
Coragen 18.5 SC (chlorantraniliprole*) or 170 g Mortar 75 SG (cartap hydrochloride) or 1.0
litre Coroban/Dursban/Lethal/Chlorguard/DurmeUClassic/Force 20 EC (chlorpyriphos) or 15
g Fipronil 80% WG (fipronil) in 100 litres of water per acre. Prefer Ecotin or Achook/Neem
Kavach at pest initiation stage.
These insects can also be controlled by applying 4 kg Ferterra/ Marktera 0.4 GR
(chlorantraniliprole*) or 4 kg Vibrant 4 GR (thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate) or 10 kg Padan/
Caldan/Kritap/Sanvex/Nidan/Marktap/Miftap/ Faltap-G/ Katsu 4 G (cartap hydrochloride)
or 6 kg Regent/Mortel/Mifpro-G/Mahaveer GR/Shinzen
0.3 G (fipronil) or 4 kg Dursban 10 G (chlorpyriphos) per
• Monitor the insect-pests
acre in standing water. Use gloves while applying granular
insecticides.
regularly and apply
insecticides on the basis
Fame 480 SC or Takumi 20 WG or Coragen 18.5 SC of Economic Threshold
or Mortar 75 SG or chlorpyriphos 20 EC or Fipronil 80 WG Level.
or Ferterra/Marktera 0.4 GR or Vibrant 4 GR or Padan/
Kritap/Calda n/Sa nvex/N id an/Markta p/M ifta p/F al ta p-G/ • For effective management
Katsu 4G or RegenUMortel/Mifpro-G/Mahaveer GR/ of neck blast spray the
Shinzen 0.3 G or Dursban 10 G or Ecotin or Achook/Neem fungicides at boot stage.

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Kavach also control leaf folder. Use above insecticides alternately.
Planthoppers, Rice hispa and Leaf folder: These pests also damage basmati rice in
the State. For their control, follow recommendations as mentioned in rice for these pests.
B. Diseases
Foot rot (Fusarium moniliforme): This disease is both seed and soil borne. The infected
seedlings turn pale yellow and become elongated. Later on these seedlings start drying
from bottom and usually die. The symptoms also appear after transplanting in the field and
the infected plants become taller than the normal plants and are killed after a few days.
Adventitious roots also appear on the lower nodes. Pinkish growth of the fungus appears on
the lower sheaths. Adopt following integrated approaches to manage the disease:
• Use disease free seed
• Treat the seed and seedlings as per recommendations.
• Rogue out and destroy infected seedlings from nursery and field.
Blast (Pyricularia grisea): It is relatively more important in Basmati varieties. This
fungus causes spindle shaped spots with greyish centre and brown margins on the leaves
at maximum tillering stage. It also causes black lesions at the neck of panicle leading to its
dropping. Grow Pusa Basmati 1637, which is moderately tolerant to blast. For control of this
disease, spray per acre 200 ml Amistar Top 325 SC (azoxytrobin+difenoconazole) or 500
g lndofil Z-78 75 WP (zineb)* in 200 litre of water at maximum tillering and ear emergence
stages.
Bacterial blight: Punjab Basmati 7, 5 and Pusa Basmati 1718 are resistant to most of
the pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen. Other practices to control the disease are same
as for rice.
Note: Manage the other diseases, insects and rodents as per rice.

Unpuddled Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

The declining water resources of the state demand the highest priority to development
of water conservation technologies. Direct seeding of rice in unpuddled fields (DSR) is one
such technology that has water saving potential. DSR provides several benefits such as
1) 10-20% saving in irrigation water, 2) 10-12% higher ground water recharge, 3) saves
labor, 4) less prone to infestation of diseases (e.g. sheath blight, foot rot), 5) provides 100
kg/acre higher yield of succeeding wheat as compared to conventional practice of puddled
transplanted rice.
DSR technology was recommended in 201 0 in the state. The technology was further
1

refined and in 2020, a novel DSR technique coined as 'tar-wattar DSR' was recommended.
In tar-wattar DSR, a major departure from the earlier practice is delayed first irrigation
which is applied at 21 days after sowing which has many added advantages like higher
saving in irrigation water, better root development, lesser incidence of nutrient deficiency
especially iron, lesser weeds and wider soil adaptability. Further, a new method of DSR
'Direct seeding on raised beds in tar-wattar fields', which offers higher saving in irrigation
water as compared to earlier methods, has been recommended in 2022.

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 In 2020, DSR occupied 5.4 lakh ha (about one-
I
• Direct seeding of rice should
fifth of total area under rice) in the state. In 2021, not be done on light textured
area under DSR increased further to 6.0 lakh ha. sandy soils.
The success of DSR lies in the adoption of • Tar-wattar DSR technique is
improved production practices which are discussed suitable for direct seeding in
below: medium and heavy textured
• Suitable soils: Sow DSR only in medium soils (including sandy loam,
to heavy textured soils. Its' cultivation is not loam, silt loam and clay loam)
successful in light textured soils due to severe which accounts for around
iron deficiency and lower crop yields. 87% area of the state.

• Laser levelling: Laser levelling improves • Sowing should be done in the

irrigation water use efficiency and ensures first fortnight of June.
better germination. Plough the field with disc • For effective weed control,
harrow followed by cultivation with cultivator spray 1.0 litre Stomp/Bunker
and planking, then level the field with laser 30 EC per acre in moist soil
leveller. immediately after sowing and
thereafter use other herbicides
• Suitable varieties: Short and medium
as per recommendation.
duration varieties
• Sowing time: 1-15 June
• Seed rate and seed treatment: Use 8-10 kg seed per acre. Imbibe rice seed by
dipping in 2% potassium nitrate solution (prepare solution by dissolving 200 g KNO3
in 10 litre water for 8 kg seed) for 12 hours. Dry the seed in shade and treat with 3 g
Sprint 75 WS (mencozeb + carbendazim) per kg seed.
• Method of sowing: Rice can be direct seeded by three methods:
1. Direct seeding in tar-wattar fields: Divide the field into kiyaras of desirable
size after Laser Leveling and apply rauni irrigation. When the field comes to tar-wattar
(sufficiently high but workable soil moisture) conditions, prepare field kiyara-wise with
shallow cultivation followed by 2-3 plankings with load of 3 sandbags on planker and sow
immediately. Seed should be placed at 3-4 cm depth in 20 cm spaced rows. Avoid field
preparation and sowing during noon hours for better results.
Preferably, use Lucky Seed Drill (which sow rice and spray pre-emergence herbicide
simultaneously) for direct seeding. Alternatively, use conventional rice drill having inclined
plate metering system and spray herbicide immediately. Direct seeding with Lucky Seed
Drill (fitted with press wheels) help in tackling the problem of krand formation (which occur
if there is rainfall after sowing), conserves soil profile moisture and improves the efficacy of
pre-emergence herbicide.
2. Direct seeding on raised beds in tar-wattar fields: This method saves higher
irrigation water than other two methods.
Laser level the field and make 67.5 cm wide shallow beds (bed with 37.5 cm flat top
with adjacent 30 cm furrow), preferably by using same bed planter that will be used for final

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sowing. Then apply rauni (pre-sowing irrigation) in furrows only.
When field come to tar-wattarconditions (within 2-3 days depending on soil type), use
bed planter (fitted with bed compacter) for reshaping beds and simultaneous sowing (2
rows/bed) of treated seed, and apply pre-emergence herbicide immediately. Avoid sowing
during noon hours for better results.
3. Direct seeding in dry fields: Treated seed should be placed 2-3 cm deep in rows
spaced at 20 cm in a dry field and irrigation is applied immediately after sowing.
• Weed Control
Pre-emergence: Spray 1.0 litre per acre Stomp/Bunker 30 EC (pendimethalin) in 200 litres
of water for control of annual grass weeds and some broadleaf weeds. In case of tar-wattar
DSR, if sown using Lucky Seed Drill, sowing and herbicide spray are done simultaneously
and, if conventional rice drill is used, then spray 1immediately after sowing. In case of sowing
in dry fields, irrigation is applied immediately after sowing and herbicide is sprayed when
the field comes to wattar condition which in general is within 1 to 2 days of sowing.
Post-emergence: Depending on the weed flora present in the field, any of the herbicide
listed in the table below may be applied at 15-25 days of sowing, by dissolving in 150 litres
of water, when weed plants are at 1-4 leaf stages as given under each herbicide (see page
185).

Name of herbicide Dose per Target weed flora Weed leaf stage
acre at time of spray
Nominee Gold 10 SC 100 ml Swank, swanki, paddy 2-4
(bispyribac sodium) mothas
Ricestar 6.7 EC 400ml Madhana, chini gha, chiri 2-4
(fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) gha, takri gha
Almix20WP 89 Broadleaf weeds, paddy 2-4
(chlorimuron ethyl 10% mothas, gandi wala motha
+ metsulfuiron methyl
10%)
Vivaya 6 OD 900ml Swank, swanki, chini gha, 1-2
(penoxsulam 1.02% + broad leaf weeds, paddy
cyhalofop 5.1 %) mothas
Council Activ 30 WG 90 g Swank, swanki, chini gha, 1-2
(triafamone 20% + broadleaf weeds, paddy
ethoxysulfuron 10%) mothas, gandi wala motha
• Always spray herbicide when weed plants are at the right leaf stage as mentioned against
each herbicide.
• Always spray herbicide in moist field and maintain proper soil moisture (wattar) in the field
for one week after spray.
. The leftover weeds may be uprooted before they produce seeds .

• Fertilizers: Apply 130 kg urea/acre in three equal splits at 4, 6 and 9 weeks of sowing.
Apply phosphorus and potash on soil test basis. In case of zinc and iron deficiency,
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follow the recommendations as given under puddled transplanted rice (Page 10).
PAU-Leaf Colour Chart (PAU-LCC) for need based Urea application

• No urea should be applied at the time of sowing.

• After four weeks of sowing, apply 25 kg urea per acre.

• After six weeks of sowing, start matching colour of the topmost fully exposed intact leaf
of the randomly selected ten rice plants with PAU-LCC under shade of your body at 7
day interval.

• Whenever the greenness of 6 or more out of 10 leaves is lighter than the LCC shade
4, apply 30 kg urea per acre.
• No urea should be applied if colour of leaves is equal to or darker than the LCC
shade 4.

• Use of LCC should be discontinued after initiation of flowering and no more urea should
be applied.

Note: The leaves selected for measuring leaf greenness should be free from insect/
disease incidence. There should not be water stress to the crop and nutrients other than
nitrogen should be supplied as per recommendations. The PAU-LCC can be purchased
from PAU Seed Shop at Gate No. 1, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service
Centres in different districts.

• Irrigation

1. Direct seeding (flat/raised beds) in tar-wattarflelds: Apply first irrigation at around 21

days after sowing. After that, apply irrigations at 5-7 days interval depending on soil type.

2. Direct seeding in dry fields: Apply first irrigation immediately after sowing and second
irrigation at 4-5 days after sowing. Subsequent irrigations should be applied at 5-7 days
interval depending on soil type.

The irrigation interval may be adjusted according to rainfall. Stop irrigation 10 days
before harvesting. In this way, DSR saves around 10 to 20% irrigation water as compared
to puddled transplanted rice.

For sub-surface drip irrigation and fertigation in zero till DSR, see chapter on 'Multiple
Cropping' under zero till direct seeded rice-wheat cropping system.

• Rodent management: Rodents cause damage to direct seeded rice crop at

germination stage. Control weeds and rebuild bunds to destroy rat burrows and reduce
their height and width . Do burrow baiting during lean period (May-June) as per the
method given in chapter 11 "Management of Rodents and Birds" .
•

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