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Production technology for Scented rice in Goa |
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The traditional rice cultivation in Goa is becoming uneconomical owing to rising labour costs on one hand and low price for the coarse varieties on the other. The socio-economic constraints and growing pressure on land has further aggravated the problem which has resulted in decline in the productivity and area of this staple crop. The present day farm wages has further confounded the problem of the rice farmer. Thus. the present day cultivation cost of one hectare of rice works out to Rs. 18570/- leaving hardly any profit to the grower. The research work carried out suggests that with proper planning and application of appropriate technology, fairly good harvests of Basmati can be reaped in Goa. For the choicest preparations like Pulao and Biryani, Basmati rice is preferred and hence command a premium price In both International and the domestic markets. Basmati rice possess pleasant and exquisite aroma, sweet taste, soft texture, delicate curvature and extra elongation with least breadth wise swelling on cooking. Today, several aromatic rice varieties are grown and consumed as basmati rice, yet a few like Pusa Basmati-1, Basmati-370 (Punjab Basmati),Karmal Local (Travadi Basmati) etc. fulfil the quality norms required for exports. The traditional tall Basmati cultivars are vey poor yielders and lodge under high doses of nitrogenous fertilizers. Selection of the variety is also critical for the success of Basmati rice cultivation, sustained and systematic research efforts for over two decades has resulted in the development of Pusa Basmati-I and Kasturi varieties. Other dwarf Basmati cultures of promise In the advanced stage of testing include IET-15390, IET-15391, IET-15392 in addition to Pusa Basmati-I, and Kasturi. CHARACTERISTICS OF BASMATI RICE
For successful cultivation of Basmati under Goa conditions, the prevailing range of maximum day temperatures during the months .of August-September have to be exploited to the maximum advantage. To get the maximum aroma in the grain, the critical period of 30 days between the flowering stage and the grain hardening stage should coincide with the maximum day temperature (below 29C) which normally prevails in Goa between August and early November. Thus, the Basmati cultivation is primarily the activity in the Kharif season since in Goa, the desirable climatic parameters exists during the rainy months. Therefore the sowing of the Basmati seed should be taken up during late May so that the seedlings are ready for transplanting by the third week of June. To transplant one hectare of a field, a nursery area of 1000 m2 is sufficient. Plough the nursery field twice under dry condition. Apply 500 kg decomposed farm yard manure for 1000 m2 and puddle the same in standing water (2-3cm) three to four times preferably at intervals of five days. Level the field perfectly after final pudding and prepare seedbeds of I to 1.5m width and of any convenient length leaving 30 cm wide channels in between the beds. Fertilize these seedbeds with 5 to 10 kg N (10-20 kg Urea) 2 kg P,O, (12-13 kg rock phosphate) for 1000 m2 area of the nursery before final levelling. Use 30-35 kg of dry seed of recommended variety/ha. For ensuring proper and uniform germination take the seeds after treating them with salt solution (1.65 kg salt in 10 litres water) and later treat with Carbendazim (35 g for 35 kg seed) in gunny bag and soak in water for 24 hours. Subsequently, incubate for 48 hours with occassional sprinkling of water. Ater the seeds have sprouted, broadcast these seeds uniformily over the seed bed and keep the beds moist for 4-5 days. Gradually raise and maintain water to a depth of 2-5 cm. Topdress the seedbed with 3-5 kg N (8-10 kg Urea) at least a week before uprooting the seedlings for transplanting, Hand weed once at 15 days after sowing, or apply Benthlocarb or Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. five days after sowing. The seedings so raised would be ready for transplanting 21-25 days after sowing. At the time of uprooting, the nursery bed should be kept wet to avoid Injury and root damage. The main field where the transplanting of seedlings has to be done is ploughed under dry condition three weeks before transplanting. Submerge the field in 5-10 cm of water. Add 6-8 tonnes of green manuring crops like Dhaincha, Glyricidia or Sunhemp and incorporate it by puddling The green manuring crop can be raised upto 45 days In the main field itself. Apply basal fertilizer dose based on the soil tests report. Under Goa conditions, a dose containing 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha Is recommended. For effective water management, uniform levelling of the field is important. FERTILIZER SCHEDULE FOR BASMATI
*DAT= Days after transplanting *MOP= Muraite of Potash Note: 1. The farmer can choose any of the above combination of fertilizers. However application of simple fertilize in the form of NPK works out to be cheaper economically. 2. The application of fertilizers should be decided on the basis of the soil test report. 3. For good quality of produce, adequate organic matter should be incorporated. As discussed in the introduction, the transplanting of Basmati under Goa conditions has to be completed by the 3rd or 4th week of June in order to synchronise the grain filling stage with the most ideal range of day temperatures. A properly planned crop will have high levels of aromatic compound i.e. Acetyl and Pyroline resulting in strong aroma in the grain. Transplant the uprooted seedilings (21-25 days old) in the prepared land at a spacing of 20 x 15 cm Keeping 2-3 seedlings/hill. Adopt shallow planting (2-3 cm). In case of delayed planting with old seedlings, keep a spacing of 15x15cm and increase the number of seedlings/hill to 5-6 Gap fill twice at 7th and 14th day of planting. Hand weed twice or thrice depending on the level of weed infestation at intervals of three weeks starting from 20 days after transplanting. For chemical weed control, apply Benthiocarb granules @ 1.5 kg ai/ha orAnilophos @ 0.6 kg ai/ha five days after transplanting. Maintain 3-5 cm of standing water in the field for ensuring effective weed control. Drain out water when grains in the lowest portion of the panicle are in.the dough stage. (About 20 days from 50% flowering). Allow the grains to harden. Harvest 30-35 days after flowering when the stalks still remain green to avoid grain shedding. Moisture content of paddy should be 20-24% at harvest. Thresh as early as possible preferably a day after harvest. Dry gradually under shade and not direct drying under the sun until the moisture content is brought down to 12-14% which ensures better milling quality and storage. Scented rice varieties are relatively more susceptible to a variety of storage pests. Unscientific storage leads to both qualitative as well as quantitative loss of Basmati rice. * Store rice as unmilled paddy. Bring the moisture level 12-14% and clean properly before storing by removing partially filled and unfilled grains as well as any other foreign matter. * Depending on the quantity to be stored select proper storage structures which are air tight. Disinfect the storage structures with Malathion 50EC (1:100 dilution) @ 3 litres of spray emulsion per 100m2 before filling in with grains. * Fumigate the room with Ethylene Di-Bromide (EDB)@ 48g/cu.m with an exposure of 6 days. By following the recommended management practices, the farmer can easily get as yield betweeen 3.5 to 3.8 t/ha.from. Pusa Basmati variety. However, other high yielding varieties are in the final stages of testing. The economics of Basmati growing in Goa gives a positive picture in comparlsion to the coarse rice varieties. * COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF BASMATI RICE/HA
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