Page 60 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Paddy sowing and planting
There are two main methods of planting paddy in the field. These are direct
sowing (by broadcasting or in-row sowing) and indirect sowing, which involves
transplanting.
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Direct sowing: Direct sowing is the method of planting paddy seeds directly
into the field where they grow into full crop plants. This approach is more
cost-effective and quicker compared to transplanting. However, it may lead to
increased weed growth and uneven spacing between plants. To carry out direct
seeding, the field should first be ploughed and levelled. The rice seeds are then
soaked in water for 24 hours and incubated for 48 hours to promote uniform
germination. There after, soaked seeds are broadcasted (scattering by hand) in a
relatively wet field. For dry or moist fields, the drilling (placing in rows) method
is preferred. After sowing, the seeds should be lightly covered with soil. Proper
irrigation and drainage are essential throughout the growing period to ensure the
growth and development of a healthy crop.

Transplanting: Transplanting is a paddy farming technique where seeds
are first sown in the nursery, and then seedlings are moved from a nursery to
the main field. This technique offers better weed control and allows for more
uniform spacing, which can lead to improved yields. However, it is more labour-
intensive and costly compared to direct seeding. The process begins with nursery
preparation on a well-drained, fertile site fully exposed to sunlight. The nursery
bed should be prepared at least seven days before sowing. Paddy rice seeds are
soaked in water for 24 hours and incubated for 48 hours to encourage sprouting.
The sprouted seeds are then evenly spread on a puddled (wet bed) or levelled
(dry bed) nursery. After 20 - 30 days, the seedlings are then carefully transplanted
into the main field at the recommended spacing. Transplanting is done by placing
2 - 3 seedlings in one hole at a spacing of 15 - 20 cm (intra-row) and 20 - 30
cm between rows (inter-row spacing). After transplanting, the field is flooded
to about half or one-third of the seedling height. Figure 4.4 shows how paddy is
transplanted in the main field.

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