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- Address : Bathalagoda, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka
- E- Mail : rrdi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone : +94 372 258561
- Fax : +94 372 259881
Rice-the staple food-Crop Establishment
Seedling Broadcasting
How do we perform seedling broadcasting?
- Insted of seeds used in direct sowing, planting material used for this method is seedlings.
- 12 days old seedlings are broadcasted evenly in the field.
- For such broadcasting seedlings should have a considerable weight, which is supported by a ball of mud associated with roots.
- To facilitate this, seeds are initially raised in seedling trays (known as parachute trays).
- After seedlings are grown for 12 days, they are removed from trays along with the mud-ball and broadcasted.
- Seedling density is maintained as 35-40/m2 for a maximum yield.
Advantages
- Seed paddy requirement is very low – 20-30 kg/ha.
- Labor cost is 50% than that of in transplanting.
- Root system of the seedlings will not be damaged as they contain mud-balls.
- Therefore, seedlings will not experience a transplanting shock.
- Seedlings get established in the field very quickly.
- Plants produce high number of tillers
- Harvest could be obtained 7-8 days earlier than other methods.