The Poush winter is now upon the country. The cold was not felt much at first, but now the whole country is shivering under a cold wave. At this time many people are preparing seedbeds for boro rice. Here is how to look after them:

• Keep water in the seedbed at all times to get healthy, strong seedlings.
• If the boro season is very cold, flood the seedbed in the evening and drain the water in the morning.
• If there is heavy fog, drag a rope across the seedbed in the morning to shake off the dew.
• From 3-4 days after sowing, irrigate the channels and keep the seedbed soil soft.
• Keep 2-5 centimetres (0.78 to 2 inches) of water in the seedbed.
• From time to time drain the standing water and add fresh water.
• If the seedlings turn yellow, top-dress with 250 grams of urea per decimal two weeks after germination.
• If the seedlings do not turn green after urea, apply Thiovit to the seedbed at the recommended dose.
• To control disease in severe cold and fog, spray Tilt or Score on the seedbed at the recommended dose.

Tips courtesy of Syngenta.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.