Rice is Bangladesh's main food grain, and the country's farm economy and food security depend largely on its production. Flowering is the most important and sensitive stage in the rice life cycle, when even slight neglect can undo a farmer's whole year of work. Trials by agricultural research institutes and the experience of farmers in the field show that proper management at this time raises both the quantity and quality of the yield.

Spraying insecticide or fungicide while rice is flowering does serious harm. Research shows that the active chemicals destroy pollen, disrupting pollination. Field trials by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) found that applying pesticide during flowering leaves an average of 25-40 per cent of grains empty, sharply cutting the farmer's expected output. It is therefore essential to avoid all chemical spraying at the flowering stage.

The pollen that rice plants produce at flowering is very fine and fragile. Walking often in the field shakes the plants and makes pollen fall. According to a report by an international agricultural research centre, the loss of pollen hampers grain formation and cuts yields by 15-20 per cent on average. Unnecessary work in the field should therefore be avoided during flowering, and the farmer's patience matters most at this time.

Rice usually flowers between 9am and 4pm. This is the natural pollination period, or "golden time". Entering the field then disturbs the normal union of pollen, through the movement of plants or outside environmental effects. Research has shown that machinery or workers moving in the field at this time can leave up to 30 per cent of grains unfilled on average. The right time to enter the field is before 9am or after 4pm.

If there is not enough water at flowering, pollination suffers, empty grains increase and yields fall. Without soil moisture the grains inside the panicle do not fill. Too much water, on the other hand, deprives the roots of oxygen and harms the plant. So the field must be kept moist at all times during flowering, neither muddy nor dry. Proper water management helps full grains form in the panicle and secures the yield.

Pollination depends not only on the farmer's behaviour but also on the environment and weather. High temperatures, strong wind or irregular rain raise the risk of damage during flowering. Research shows that above 35 degrees Celsius pollen quickly loses its viability, so farmers should manage their fields according to the weather forecast.

The flowering period is in effect the rice plant's "wedding time", when pollen and stigma unite to form the grain. Needless spraying, too much movement in the field or badly timed work at this time are proven to harm the crop. According to scientific research and agricultural experts, taking the right precautions significantly reduces empty grains and can raise yields by 20-30 per cent.

Farmers should therefore show patience and care during this sensitive period. A little caution can secure the bumper harvest they hope for.

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