Transplanting of seedling :
- Transplanting is the process of planting seedling already prepared in the nursery bed in the puddle field.
- Done after preparation of field.
- When seedling attains optimum age , they are pulled out with great care so that least injury is done to root system.
Advantages of transplanting :
- Proper spacing can be maintained between rows and between hills which makes uniform and proper growth of seedling in the field.
- Transplanting makes weeding easier and faster.
- It helps to make easier for other intercultural operations and harvesting.
Disadvantage of transplanting :
- Manual transplanting of seedlings is a slow process where large no. of labor are needed for transplanting which is costlier.
- The possibility of injury of seedlings during handling is more.
- Harvesting and transplanting rice is 7-10 days delayed than direct seeding.
a) Age and size of seedling :
- Early variety (improved variety) ; 20-25 DAS.
- Late variety (indigenous variety ); 30-35 DAS.
- Height of seedling ; 15-20 cm.
- Number of leaves ;3-4.
b) Spacing :
- depends upon time of transplanting , variety , soil fertility , fertilizer and other physical environment.
- High yielding varieties in late transplanted conditional and optimal dose of fertilizer 20 cm x 15 cm.
- Spring(chaite) rice 20 cm x 10 cm spacing should be maintained.
c) Time of transplanting :
- Depends upon climate factor , location , varieties and type of rice.
- Main season : 15th of Ashad -15th of Shrawan.
- Spring or chaite rice : chaitra.
- Upland rice : 15th chaitra – 15th
d) Depth of transplanting :
- 2-3 cm depth , deep transplanting reduces no. of tillers.
- Deep transplanting delay tillering by about 10 days.
e) Number of seedling per hill :
- 2-3 seedling per hill : Normal condition.
- 4-5 seedling/hill : Late transplant and over aged seedling.