The Poush cold has set in and crops are swaying in the fields. Farmers are doing their best to grow healthy, strong crops. Following some rules at this time will soon bring smiles to farmers in the fields. Here is what to do to get healthy, strong seedlings.

• To get healthy, strong seedlings, always keep water in the seedbed.
• In the Boro season, if it is very cold, flood the seedbed with water in the evening and drain it in the morning.
• If there is heavy fog, drag a rope across the seedlings in the morning to shake off the dew.
• Irrigate the channels from three to four days after sowing.
• 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 250 grams of urea per decimal two weeks after germination.
• If the seedlings do not turn green after urea is applied, apply Thiovit or an equivalent product 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.

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