Solutions to protect rice seedlings from the cold weather by farmers in the mountainous region of Nghe An.

To ensure even germination of rice seeds, farmers in Anh Son soak them and change the warm water regularly. Photo: Thai Hien

Despite the biting cold, these days in the fields of Ke May village, Cam Son commune, farmers are still busily preparing rice seedlings to ensure timely planting according to the seasonal schedule. Ms. Ha Thi Hien from Ke May village shared that because the time for preparing the seedlings coincided with a severe cold spell, her family used warm water (3 parts boiling water, 2 parts cold water) and a covered styrofoam box to soak and incubate the rice seeds. She also regularly changed the warm water to ensure even germination.

According to Ms. Hien's long experience, when sowing rice seedlings in the spring, it is necessary to prepare plastic sheeting and bamboo to protect the seedlings from the cold. The period of protection from the cold lasts about 15-20 days. During that time, the seedlings develop well and have high resistance, thus minimizing the number of seedlings that die from the cold.

Farmers in Anh Son build frames and cover rice seedlings with plastic sheeting to protect them from the cold. Photo: Thai Hien

In Hamlet 11, Hoa Son Commune, despite the biting cold weather, the atmosphere in the fields was quite bustling. Ms. Ha Thi Thuong said: This spring, her family planted more than 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of NA2 rice variety. For the past few days, despite the freezing temperatures, she has been sowing seedlings to ensure the planting season is completed before Tet (Lunar New Year).

To cope with the freezing weather, Ms. Thuong built high embankments to prevent water from flooding the fields, and also to retain water in the rice paddies to keep the seedlings warm, then covered them with plastic sheeting. She hopes the weather will not significantly affect the growth of the seedlings and that she can complete the planting before the Lunar New Year.

In the spring of 2019, Anh Son district planted 3,250 hectares of rice. To ensure success in this year's spring crop, the district's Department of Agriculture focused on directing localities to arrange a rational crop structure for high yield and quality. In addition, they established 5-7 large-scale high-quality pure rice fields, each covering 30-50 hectares. According to the planting schedule, Anh Son district will sow seedlings from January 8th to 20th, 2019; and transplant rice from January 28th to February 12th, 2019.

Use plastic sheeting to cover the rice seedlings. Photo: Thai Hien

To prevent frost damage to rice seedlings, Anh Son district directed local authorities to educate farmers on applying plastic sheeting to 100% of the area and regularly inspecting the fields to monitor the seedlings' development. During the period of plastic sheeting, if the outdoor temperature gradually rises above 15°C and there is sunlight at noon, both ends of the plastic sheeting should be opened during the day to allow water vapor to escape, helping the plants photosynthesize better. If the night is cold, the plastic sheeting should be restored.

In addition, it is necessary to supplement the seedlings with a small amount of well-rotted manure, wood ash, or small amounts of potassium and phosphorus to help keep the seedlings warm and strong, and to better withstand the cold. At the same time, the rice paddy needs to be kept at a water level of 2 cm to maintain warmth. Absolutely do not apply urea fertilizer or foliar fertilizers rich in nitrogen to the seedlings during these days.